The Crofting Tradition

A Self-Sustaining Lifestyle

A cherished lifestyle thrives in the Hebrides islands and the Highlands of Scotland. Crofting is a unique way of life that is hundreds of years old and arose from oppressive conditions. It is a form of small-scale land tenure where occupants farm, fish, or weave, generally occurring on rented pieces of land. In this sparsely populated corner of the world, nearly 3,000 people croft on small parcels of land under ten acres.

A croft might be a cottage with a few outbuildings with access to the commons ­– pastures and collective acreage. Driving across these islands, part of their magic is that sheep and cows have the right of way. The animals have no fear of vehicles passing within inches.

Crofts were traditionally passed down through family lines. However, crofters also include professionals who chose to leave the cities, such as teachers, doctors, consultants, and graphic designers.

The crofting tradition originated hundreds of years ago in the Highlands when farmers lived close to a large landowner, who gave them small allotments called crofts. Typical of other European countries and the New World, the conditions were such that farmers could not earn enough to farm their own land, so they could not always feed their families, let alone provide an income.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, crofters lost this semi-feudal life when landowners discovered that raising sheep was a more profitable use of their land. Some crofters began to emigrate; many to North America. Others were relocated to coastal areas with harsh conditions, and there, they took on new professions such as fishing and kelping.

In the late 19th century, Crofting Act laws protected the crofter lifestyle. Crofters then had the right to remain on the land they farmed, with fixed rents and a return on investment on the improvements they made to the land. They could stay on the land even if it was transferred to new owners. The government continues to protect and promote crofting.

Without government protection, the crofting lifestyle would have disappeared, and the land would have been absorbed into larger estates to raise large herds of sheep or used for hunting or tourism. Without crofting, arable land, built over centuries, would have been lost along with the island's capacity to produce food to feed the islanders. Crofting has enabled communities to manage a fragile ecological system. Crofters also preserve the Gaelic language.

The crofter lifestyle is valued not only by those who practice it, but also by the surrounding islanders who view crofting as a community asset. Yet crofting is not for the faint of heart. Return on investment is usually low and weather conditions can be harsh and extreme. The land is not suitable for large-scale agriculture. Many crofters do not earn a living off the lifestyle and have a second profession.

Crofters view what they do as a lifestyle more than a profession. They respect elders, each other, and each other's space. Core values are being “neighborly,” helping each other, and sharing resources. Crofters believe in community service and often serve on committees, working together to support their lifestyle through the Scottish Crofting Federation. While the work is typically solitary, they recognize their interdependence. Crofters cultivate a vibrant community through a shared vision, solidarity, and collective action. Together, they have agency and shape their community's futures. 

Some modern crofters have evolved from traditional techniques and use new technology, such as using a greenhouse to extend the growing season. Others raise animals indigenous to the Highlands. They all focus on sustainable practices and maintaining a simple or self-reliant way of life, staying in touch with the land and providing for their local communities. 

As in all communities, there are differences. For example, there is a debate as to whether crofters should be allowed to build holiday houses to rent on their land. Some crofters use Airbnb to supplement their income. Some believe this will bring much needed income into the community, while others think it will turn crofting into a tourist-dependent industry and take up arable land. 

The interdependent life of crofting is increasingly appealing for young people looking for a more connected, simple way of living, though there are challenges to entry. To buy a croft, a crofter must raise 100% of the funds; no mortgages are available. The Scottish government recognizes that attracting young crofters is essential for the future and has programs to help newcomers.

Weaving has always been a part of the crofting lifestyle, as it was a way to supplement the income from tending land or livestock. Crofters weave the world-famous Harris Tweed, produced in small weavers' huts. The inspiration for the tweed patterns comes from the mountains, the seascape, and the surrounding topography. You can see the colors of the land reflected in the textiles. While commercial dyes exist, some continue to be made from natural sources, such as peat or lichen.

Harris Tweed's exacting standards and the small cottage industry that creates it are well-protected. It is a textile connected to both the farms and British royalty and the only fabric in the world governed by its own Act of Parliament. The term and its trademark are only applied to cloth entirely dyed, spun, and handwoven by Hebridean artisans in their homes. 

While staying on the island of Harris, we visited Rebecca Hutton, an independent weaver who works in a small shed behind her house. With a heavy accent and a wonderful sense of humor, she described and showed us how she crafts her tweeds meticulously. While the number of weavers has dropped dramatically, some young people, like her nephew, are interested in taking up the tradition.

The loom has its own mind, and you must keep it happy, says Rebecca. Each loom is different. She works on a traditional, single-width cloth on her foot-treadle loom. (Most weavers now work on double-width looms.) Steeped in the island's cultural traditions, she grew up speaking Gaelic. Her grandmother was a weaver, as were most people in past generations. Rebecca remembers growing up hearing the noises of the looms at night. 

She designs the cloth, creates the weft, and weaves the tweed. The preparation before weaving the fabric is painstaking and takes several days. Dyed yarns are set up by hand to determine the pattern of the warp and the weft threads. Because the number of people weaving has dramatically declined, today Rebecca and other weavers need the skills to repair their own looms. 

Her mentor was Donald John MacKay, a highly respected Hebridean tweed weaver who has been making tweed for nearly a half-century. His clients include Nike, which used his tweed in a limited edition training shoe. (Orders like Nike's helped revive the Harris tweed industry.) He, like Rebecca, works in a small shed behind his house in a village on Harris.

In the United States and other countries, young people are increasingly interested in returning to the land and living simpler lifestyles. Crofting is an inspiring model because it is a lifestyle the broader culture values. Crucially, the Scottish government supports, protects, and promotes it. Introducing good policies and laws that protect community and sustainable land use, rather than always prioritizing profit and growth, is the way to create the balance needed to build healthy communities while caring for and preserving the planet.

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