The ‘Top Cat’ misunderstands the role of a Grazings Constable
The Convener of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, was apparently at one time a Grazings Constable.
In 2007 he responded to comments online on the BBC Island Blogging site:-
I was the grazing constable on Arinagour Common Grazing, a post with specific duties, one of which was to advise of any potential problems on the grazings. This I did on two occasions. First one was relative to your property, Second was relative to the First Port Of Coll. Both properties were on the market and for sale. My function was to alert those involved including the Crofters Commission of potential problems regarding the status of the land. I have never stated that any property was on the Common Grazing, however it is my view that various areas of the grazing are now occupied by various people.
That is not a specific duty or function of a Grazings Constable under and in terms of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993.
Perhaps this misunderstanding of the role of a Grazings Constable, from the top of the tree at Great Glen House, is why we have purported ‘Grazings Constables’ thinking their role is an investigative one. It isn’t. Other than, perhaps, the five yearly duty to report to the Crofting Commission on the condition of the Common Grazings and crofts with a share in the Common Grazings.
Image Credit: Top Cat © Hanna-Barbera / Warner Bros. Animation
Re positive thinking, I remember it well, so too I remember the post written by the so called crofting constable at the time,
It shows him for what he was then/now/ and most likely ever will be, “legal background” aye right!