A full day exploring collaborative management of common grazings, and community enterprise — hosted by North Talisker Sheep Stock Club, Skye

At a glance

🐑 Visit one of Skye's most active common grazings — managed collaboratively by 58 shareholders across 1,300 hectares of rough hill ground, woodland and improved parks

💧 See a community-owned hydro scheme in action and explore how diversified rural enterprises strengthen the viability of common grazing systems

🔥 Walk a muirburn comparison site and hear from practitioners on Scotland's changing muirburn licensing landscape

🤝 Connect with farmers, crofters and land managers from across the Highlands and Islands over a shared lunch — facilitated by Scottish Crofting Federation, Highland Good Food Partnership and Pasture for Life

North Talisker Sheep Stock Club manages approximately 1,300 hectares of common grazing on the west side of the Isle of Skye — a landscape of rough hill ground, active peat, semi-improved parks and community woodland.

With 58 shareholders, a committee of eight, a pure-bred NCC ewe flock of around 740 ewes, and a successful community hydro scheme, it is one of the most active and diversified common grazings clubs in the Highlands and Islands.

It is also one of the most instructive: a working example of how collaborative governance can sustain livestock production, ecological stewardship and community enterprise on some of Scotland's most challenging ground.

This full day event is part of the Land, Livestock & Livelihoods: Taking Charge of Change programme, funded by the Scottish Government's Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) and delivered by Pasture for Life in partnership with the Scottish Crofting Federation and Highland Good Food Partnership (Farmer Cluster Connections). It is an opportunity to spend a day on the ground with the people who manage this common, see how it works in practice, and explore what collaborative management of wet, acidic upland common grazings can look like when it is working well.

What we'll cover:

The governance and management structure of North Talisker Sheep Stock Club — how 58 shareholders and a committee of eight coordinate grazing, infrastructure, enterprise and decision-making across 1,300 hectares

Active peat cutting and the management of deep peat within a working livestock system

The community hydro scheme at Fiskavaig — how it was developed, how it operates, and what it contributes to the club's viability and community resilience

The Sheep Stock Club as employer and enterprise: how common grazings can support rural livelihoods and community economies

Muirburn in practice — a comparison site walk and discussion of Scotland's changing muirburn licensing landscape and what it means for hill and common grazing managers

The crofting township en route — passing every croft in the township to understand the landscape and land use context of the common

Programme:

🕙 10:00am — Arrive at Minginish Village Hall for tea, coffee and introductions

🚗 10:30am — Car-share or minibus to the first site (government bull site and active peat cutting area) — transport contribution of £0.45 per mile applies

🏔️ 11:15am — Return to the hall for lunch and short presentations from Scottish Crofting Federation and Pasture for Life

🚗 12:00pm — Depart for Fiskavaig (5km drive through the township, passing every croft en route)

🚶 12:30pm — 2.5km walk to the hydro scheme and turbine house, with discussion of the Sheep Stock Club's enterprises, employment and community role

🔥 Afternoon — Walk back via the muirburn comparison site with facilitated discussion on muirburn licensing changes — concluding approximately 2:30–3:00pm

🏠 3:30pm — Return to Minginish Village Hall for close of day

Who is this for?

Hill farmers, crofters, common grazings committee members and land managers from across the Highlands and Islands — particularly those managing or involved in common grazings and looking for practical models of collaborative governance and diversified enterprise. Also relevant to advisors, policy practitioners and conservation professionals working with upland and crofting communities.

Format

Full day in-person event including farm walk (approximately 2.5km on hill terrain — please wear appropriate footwear and clothing), lunch provided.

This event is free to attend and is part of a wider programme of knowledge exchange events for Scottish livestock farmers. Places are limited — register early to avoid disappointment.

Delivered in partnership by Pasture for Life, Scottish Crofting Federation and Highland Good Food Partnership / Farmer Cluster Connections, as part of the Land, Livestock & Livelihoods: Taking Charge of Change programme funded by the Scottish Government's Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF).

Description supplied by the event organiser.