Crofting: Past, Present and Future
Thursday, November 5th 2026 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Shetland Museum & Archives
Two perspectives, one continuing story: how has crofting changed, and where might it go next?
Join two speakers exploring the changing story of crofting in Shetland - from the struggles for security of tenure to the challenges facing crofting today.
Dr Linda Riddell looks back at a little-known situation in the 1920s, when crofters could be evicted from their land, despite the Crofters Act of 1886, which had given them security of tenure, they thought, for ever. Nearly forty years later, in 1924, Shetland’s MP described the plight of evicted crofters as “not only heartbroken but broken in pocket” - left homeless and without the means of subsistence. Linda explores how this came about and how two Shetland cases, with very different outcomes, became particularly important in the campaign for change.
Osla Jamwal-Fraser, of SAC Consulting Lerwick, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), brings the story into the present, discussing modern crofting legislation, agricultural practice and the pressures facing traditional mixed crofting. She will consider what recent legislation, and the forthcoming review of crofting could mean for its future - and for the living, intangible heritage embodied in what we farm, how we farm it, and what the crofting community looks like as a result.
The talks will be followed by an opportunity for shared discussion between the speakers and audience, with time for questions and conversation.
Tickets £5
About the Speakers
Dr Linda Riddell comes from Lerwick but now lives mainly in Edinburgh. After retiring from a career in the oil industry, she returned to study at the University of Edinburgh and attained a PhD on the subject of Shetland and the Great War. She writes mostly on modern Shetland history and has recently been researching Government interventions
Osla Jamwal-Fraser was brought up on a croft in Shetland’s Westside and has been passionate about food, drink and local produce all her life. After 17 years in Italy working as a translator, copywriter and sommelier in the food and wine sector, she returned to Shetland with a passion for food provenance, heritage and sustainable food production. As an Agricultural Consultant with SAC Consulting, Osla works closely with crofters, farmers and rural businesses, bringing insight into the challenges and opportunities facing crofting communities today.
Category: Lectures, Community Events
