Crofters Voices. LVRT. Example book cover. August 2026.png
Proposal code:
THC-2026-08-204
Stories of crofting gathered from older generation crofters by children, young people and adults at Lochview Rural Training through intergenerational discussions, audio recordings and photographs.
Estimated Cost
£9,500
Lochview Rural Training (LVRT) is a charity and social enterprise based on a working croft near Lairg in Sutherland. LVRT wants to create Crofters’ Voices in the Highlands, a community-led book recording the history, knowledge, skills and lived experiences of Highland crofters, while connecting this heritage with the next generation.
Funding is required for research and development, community engagement, travel to interview crofters, recording and transcribing interviews, photography, professional writing, editing, design, printing and distribution. Young people will be actively involved in interviewing crofters and taking photographs, giving them the opportunity to develop research, communication, listening and creative skills while learning directly from older generations. The project will also produce smaller booklets and a community display, allowing the stories and photographs to be shared more widely within the local community.
The book will explore the origins and development of crofting, the Clearances, practical crofting skills, seasonal work, family life, community, resilience and the future of crofting. It will look at issues including food security, climate change, environmental stewardship, technology, land access and the role of young crofters.
This project is particularly important because crofting is central to the identity, culture, landscape and communities of the Highlands, yet much of the knowledge that has sustained crofting for generations is held in people's memories and practical experience. There is now a greater number of crofters aged over 65 than under 65, making it increasingly important to record this knowledge before it is lost. The project will create a lasting record while ensuring that knowledge is actively passed between generations.
The project aligns with the priorities of the Area Place Plan through supporting community identity, participation, skills development, intergenerational connections, cultural heritage and the sustainability and resilience of rural communities. It builds on existing community assets and provides opportunities for local people to contribute their knowledge and experience.
The project will have cultural, educational and social benefits. Older crofters will have an opportunity to share their knowledge, memories and skills and have their contribution recognised. Young people will gain a greater understanding of crofting and Highland heritage while developing confidence, interviewing, research, communication and photography skills. Stronger connections will be created between generations, helping young people understand crofting as a living and evolving part of the Highlands rather than simply a historical tradition.
The completed book, booklets and community display will provide accessible resources for local people, schools, community organisations, crofters and future generations. The project will also encourage discussion about the future of crofting and how traditional knowledge can contribute to sustainability, climate adaptation, food security and resilient rural communities.
The project has already progressed from the development of the concept and detailed book outline, identifying the key themes, stories and communities to be explored. LVRT has experience of working within a rural crofting community and engaging with young people and adults through practical, land-based and community activities. The project plan and proposed publication structure have been developed, and potential participants and contributors will be identified through LVRT's community networks.
Following confirmation of funding, the next steps will be to finalise the project timetable, identify and approach participating crofters and young people, develop interview and photography resources, undertake research and interviews, collate and edit the material, complete the photography and design, produce the booklets and community display, and publish and distribute the finished book.
Community engagement and support will continue throughout the project. Appropriate consent and safeguarding arrangements will be established for all participants, with particular consideration given to young people. Quotes will be obtained for professional services and production costs, and funding applications will be submitted to support delivery.
The anticipated project start date is October 2026, with completion by September 2027. The year-long timescale will allow interviews and research to take place across the crofting calendar, capturing the seasonal nature of crofting and providing a rich and authentic record of the people, work, knowledge and traditions that continue to shape Highland communities.
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