Crofters are reminded to return their annual notices to the Crofting Commission.

Letters have now been dispatched to households, and the Crofting Commission is keen to remind all recipients that completing and returning the notice is a statutory requirement for all crofters in Scotland.

Crofters must return their notices before the deadline on 6 April 2026. It’s designed to ensure that crofters are fulfilling their statutory duties, namely, being ordinarily resident on or within 32 kilometres of their croft, and ensuring the land is cultivated, maintained, or put to another purposeful use.

Gary Campbell, Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, said: “We have seen a very encouraging response so far, but it is vital that every single crofter plays their part. This year, we are particularly excited to highlight our new online portal, which has been designed to make the submission process much faster and easier for folks to use. I urge anyone who has received a letter to log on and complete their return before the deadline.”

Andrew Thin, chair of the Crofting Commission, added: “Ensuring that people are abiding by their crofting duties is not just about regulation. It’s about protecting the future of crofting for the next generation. By law, every crofter must return their notice. This ensures fairness across the board and helps us identify where crofts are being used productively and where more support or intervention may be needed. Compliance is not optional, and we are committed to ensuring that the Register of Crofts remains accurate and up to date.”

Failure to provide the required information, or providing false information, can result in further investigation and may affect the security of the croft tenancy or ownership status.

The new online portal is the most efficient way to respond, allowing crofters to update their details in just a few clicks. For those who may require assistance with the digital system, the Crofting Commission has a support team in place to provide guidance.