Commenting on the Professor Martin Shucksmith’s report outlining recommendations of the inquiry into the future of crofting, Liberal Democrat MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West John Farquhar Munro said:

"There are a lot of positive ideas in this report, but I am not convinced that they are right to split the development role of the existing Crofters Commission from the regulation role. If the Commission’s regulatory role is to be taken over by local crofting boards, then the development role should be handed to these boards too. I fear that HIE will not be able to give crofting development the priority it deserves.

“The Scottish Government must engage with the crofting community before it reaches any decision about implementing these recommendations.

"I hope the Minister will support the welcome recommendations to enhance the croft house grant and loan schemes and the measures to encourage new entrants to crofting.”