The contribution crofters and island farmers make to managing land of high nature value will be the focus of a short film and following panel discussion planned for 7.30 pm on Thursday 10th November in the Aros centre, Portree on Skye.
Organisers SRUC [1] and the James Hutton Institute have invited crofters, farmers, land managers, conservationists, policy makers, politicians and the public, not forgetting journalists, to the free event. It will explore the best practical way to manage land with special designations, like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
While the interests of nature and those earning a living from the land can sometimes conflict the organisers believe the evening’s programme gives as much weight to the experience and opinions of those actually working the ground as ecologists and administrators.
Locally-based organiser Janette Sutherland of SAC Consulting in Portree explained that at the heart of the evening is the film “Grazing on the Edge” produced by researchers from the James Hutton Institute.
“Much of the early Hutton research was done during 2015 in north-west Skye, including the Corries and Staffin General Grazings, for which I am Clerk. They filmed interviews with stakeholders with a wide range of experience of the issues. Earlier this year that evidence was used to stimulate workshop discussions which in turn helped in the editing of the final cut which is now ready for its public premier!”
“I believe the recognition that those actually working the land, whether for cattle or sheep, have as much concern and knowledge about its management as the conservation experts. We hope this project has helped bring the various sides together,” Janette said.
The event is free to attend and promises to be doubly interesting as the organisers believe their film has additional historical value, documenting as it does the situation facing common grazings and graziers in the early part of this century. Additional entertainment includes a video giving a “sheedog's eye” view of a gathering, shot using a camera mounted on a dog's head.
Those wishing to attend the evening should contact Janette Sutherland [2] in Portree at 01478612993.
Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo [4], Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 [5] (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 [6] (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 [7] (mobile).
Links:
[1] http://www.sruc.ac.uk
[2] mailto:janette.sutherland@sac.co.uk
[3] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/blogs/segs/researching-information-needs-of-crofters
[4] mailto:bernardo.rodriguez-salcedo@hutton.ac.uk?subject=Query%20from%20Hutton%20website
[5] tel:+441224395089
[6] tel:+44344928 5428
[7] tel:+447791193918