SIR, – Now that the gloves are off between the SCF and NFUS, where does that leave the members?
Which team supports ‘speculative crofting’ where the common grazings are sold off to provide private house sites for the super rich, and the shareholder gets half the development value.
The theory of this legislation is that parts of the commons in the crofting counties would be given/sold to provide affordable housing in remote areas of low employment, subject to landlord/crofter agreement.
The SCF has nailed its colours to the mast, supporting speculative crofting, whereas NFUS is more cautious in its press releases, showing that it has more experience in dealing with the press!
CVabSec Fergus Ewing should not get involved in the removal of an elected person as it would not look good for the SNP, who would be classed as dictators.
I do not agree with Patrick Krause’s letter. I don’t know why he is criticising NFUS as they should work together. Re how the NFUS managed to get more aid ‘for the wealthy’ – he is out of touch as some of his crofters are better off than those he is deriding.
I also wonder, if he is based in Edinburgh, why was he not lobbing those that could influence the division of the pot. It is quiet plain now he has a phobia regardingthe other union.
Whatever the outcome, the new Crofting Commission – the first ever run by elected crofters – should get a chance. And I think Colin Kennady has shown that he has the mettle for the job. If he goes, are we going to take a return to the old charter of the Commission; with you or against you depending to which club you belonged to!!
Has anyone considered if the Crofting Commission goes, so does the SCF.
I would say that it was high time the chair of the SCF, Fiona Vanderville and Patrick Krause stood down as both have personal interests and are making a fools of themselves!

Angus A Macdonald,
Balivanich,
Benbecula