Newly elected Union Vice-President keen to speak to membership on Skye and the Western Isles about crofting challenges, issues and opportunities during three-day roadshow.
NFU Scotland’s Duncan MacAlister, who was elected to Vice-President in February, is seizing the earliest opportunity he can to visit members in Skye and the Western Isles so he can hear first-hand about the challenges, issues and opportunities facing those crofting and farming in these areas. Duncan who farms in Kintyre is looking forward to a three-day roadshow of events starting on Monday 24 March at 7:30pm, in the Skye Camanachd Social Club, Pairc Nan Loach, Struan Road, Portree, IV51 9EG.
Commenting ahead of the roadshow, Mr MacAlister said, “I was elected as NFU Scotland Vice-President in February and since then it’s been non-stop, getting my feet under the table, in addition to lobbying hard on a number of occasions in London against the proposed taxation changes. Part of my remit as Union Vice-President is to represent our crofting members, and I’m grabbing the first chance I have to get to myself in front of as many members as I can starting on Skye and in the Western Isles. I’m hoping to learn as much as possible about the current issues and challenges being faced, to get a better understanding of affairs and help feed this directly back to the Union’s policy team and influence our lobbying activities.
“I’m grateful to Jake Sayles, NFU Mutual Group Secretary, Lochalsh, Skye and the Outer Hebrides, and the Skye, Loch Duich and Western Isles NFU Scotland Branches, for making all the arrangements.”
NFU Scotland members are invited to attend and participate in one of the following roadshow events:
- Monday 24 March at 7:30pm, in the Skye Camanachd Social Club, Pairc Nan Loach, Struan Road, Portree, IV51 9EG
- Tuesday 25 March 2025 at 7pm Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula, HS7 5PJ
- Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 7pm An Lanntair, Kenneth Street, Stornoway, HS1 2DS
Notes to editors
- Updates from Duncan’s crofting roadshow will be posted on NFU Scotland’s social media platforms: @nfuscotland (Instagram), NFUScotland (Facebook), Loch Duich,Isle of Skye & Western Isles NFUS Branches (Facebook)
- Sarah Cowie, NFU Scotland Senior Policy Manager – Climate, Land & Business, will be accompanying Duncan Macalister at the Benbecula and Stornoway meetings, particularly to talk about muirburn management and peatland restoration.
Ends
Contact Diana McGowan on 07920 018619