Ruud Streefkerk

We are here on the west side of the Scottish Highlands. To be precise, on the Trotternish Peninsula on the north coast of the Isle of Skye. Here is also the Skye Museum of Island Life, a nice open-air museum with a particular attention for the so- called Crofters. Crofting is a traditional social system in Scotland, characterized by small-scale food production. In the Highlands and on the Scottish Islands, 30% and 65% of the population still live as crofters on small farms where agriculture takes place and where roughage and vegetables are grown. In addition, crofters form common working communities, called townships. Each township manages hilly terrain of lesser quality as a common meadow for cows and sheep. But it‘s a meagre existence: most crofters are forced to undertake a number of other activities besides farming to make a living.