More than 750, 000 hectares of land in Scotland is in crofting tenure. In this Crofting Matters series, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, we will explore all aspects of crofting.
Covering seasonal and topical issues, crofting agriculture, regulation, wildlife, support and other associated businesses.
Producer Ashleigh Forster, Editor Ross Mackenzie , Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. In association with The Scottish Government.
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.
Shetland Wool: Threads of Heritage, Innovation, & Community Life
Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.
This is the final episode in this series and we’re going to round off our Shetland focussed episodes in style – discussing the islands’ most famed and celebrated agricultural and cultural product – Wool! We’re going to delve into all things woolly with Louise Grains of Jamieson’s of Shetland, the only fleece to garment mill in the isles and Donna Smith of Donna Smith Designs a crofter, yarn producer, tutor, and knitwear designer.
Shetland is famous the world over for wool and knitwear and now also for its iconic week-long festival Shetland Wool Week, which has just celebrated its 17th year. We’re joined today by two of the powerhouses behind the modern wool and knitwear industry in Shetland!
If you would like to find out more about anything we discussed today, you’ll find links in the show notes.
If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters, please do subscribe to make sure you catch the first episode of the new series next May when we’ll be hearing more inspiring stories from all over the Crofting Counties. While we’re away, why not have a look through our back catalogue or tune into some of the other Farm Advisory Service podcasts.
For now, many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our editor Keiron Sim, and thanks above all to you for tuning in.
This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government.
Resources:
Shetland Wool, Yarn and Knitting Accessories – Jamieson's Of Shetland (https://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/)
Donna Smith Designs – Knitting Patterns & Yarn in the Shetland Isles (https://donnasmithdesigns.co.uk/?v=7885444af42e)
Shetland Wool Week (https://www.shetlandwoolweek.com/)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
5 Oct 2026
Big Projects, Local Communities - Navigating Development Proposals
Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.
Today we’re speaking with Chartered Surveyor and Senior Agricultural Consultant with SAC Consulting, Fergus Russell.
Wherever you may be in the Crofting Counties there are lots of new and different types of land-based development going on from renewables to data centres and everything in between. If you or your community are affected, it can be difficult to know where to turn for advice and support. Fergus specialises in exactly this area so today we are going to be taking a look at what you need to know if your area is involved in large-scale development projects.
If you would like to find out more about anything we discussed today, you’ll find links in the show notes.
If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters, please do subscribe to make sure you hear the next episode when we’ll be discussing all things wool! We’ll be hearing about the last fleece to garment mill in Shetland and learning more about the quiet revolution happening in how Shetland perceives and promotes the importance of its own knitwear heritage.
Many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our Editor Keiron Sim, and thanks to you for tuning in.
This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government
Resources:
Scottish Land Commission: Making more of Scotland's land - Scottish Land Commission (https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/)
Your local NFUS branch may be able to answer questions on access to support
RICS - Rights over land for electricity infrastructure - Code of practice (https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/land-standards/rights-land-electricity-infrastructure-code-practice)
The Electricity Act 1989 which provides the legislation around new and existing developments: Electricity Act 1989 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/contents)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
27 Aug 2026
“Northmavine: from Tradition to Tomorrow”
Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.
For this series, we are bringing you Crofting Matters from Shetland. Today we are looking at traditional crofting practices, Shetland Kale, and how a local development group is working to protect and develop rural life in Northmavine in the North Mainland of Shetland. We’re delighted to welcome Kathleen Anderson, who has been in crofting since her childhood in the 1950s. She now works to preserve traditional crofting practices producing Shetland Kale, Shetland Sheep and Shetland Cattle, usually referred to as kye here. We’re also joined by her daughter in law, Charlotte Anderson, who works as the local project manager for NCDC, which is the Northmavine Community Development Company.
If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters please do subscribe to hear the next episode when we’ll be joined by Andrew Thin from the Crofting Commission to take a look at the changes that will be coming soon with the new Crofting Act passing into law.
Many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our Editor Keiron Sim, and thanks to you for tuning in.
This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government.
Resources:
Kathleen Anderson - Growing up on the Croft - Northmavine Community Development Company (https://www.northmavine.com/kathleen-anderson-growing-up-on-the-croft/)
Northmavine Community Development Company (https://www.northmavine.com/)
Polycrub – Storm-Strength Polytunnels Built in Shetland (https://www.polycrub.co.uk/)
Shetland Kale Seeds l Seeds of Scotland (https://www.seedsofscotland.com/products/shetland-kale)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
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1,394,773
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5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100
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Quality
34
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
68
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