Crofting demography and land use — a case study of north west Sutherland

Abstract Population decline in the remoter crofting areas has been more than in the area as a whole, leaving a heavily imbalanced age structure. There are wide variations from township to township in patterns of migration and intensity of land use. Generally population and crofting agriculture are in decline. Symptoms of this are unused land and the many houses now used as holiday homes where non‐residents inherit crofts. Amalgamation through inheritance and sublets leads to inefficient and insecure holdings. More effective reorganisation is necessary to ensure a future for crofting.