Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, today announced her new Scottish Cabinet and ministerial team.

Crofting now falls within the portfolio of the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity. Fergus Ewing has been appointed to that cabinet position.

Jim Hunter, in response to my last blog post, tweeted:-

Among the 63 SNP MSPs is a poor soul about to be appointed Minister for Crofting – ‘poisoned chalice’ doesn’t cut it.

John MacPherson responded:-

A Minister for Crofting will need (at least!) a degree in theology and good pair of knee-pads!

Fergus Ewing will certainly have his work cut out in dealing with the issues surrounding ‘The Common Clearances‘.

To what extent Fergus Ewing may be assisted by Humza Yousaf remains to be seen. Humza Yousaf has been appointed Minister for Transport and the Islands acting as junior minister to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity. The current controversy arises from actions taken by the Crofting Commission against Common Grazings Committees on the Isle of Lewis.

John Finnie MSP submitted a Parliamentary Question on the issue for answer by the Scottish Government. It reads:-

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suspended Mangersta grazing committee on the Isle of Lewis and whether it has a role to play in the mediation of this matter.

The answer to that question and many others posed in recent weeks is now awaited with much interest and anticipation.

Brian Inkster