CREATING OPPORTUNITIES for future generations
ABOUT THE MELNESS CROFTERS’ ESTATE
Melness Crofters’ Estate committee is a voluntary group of directors that manage the estate and ensure the good husbandry of the land.
Young people often leave the area to pursue better socio-economic opportunities elsewhere, as the area currently has a limited range of small-scale employment opportunities.
Situated on the north coast of Sutherland, Melness Estate spans over 10,000 acres of land from Ben Hutig down to Kyle of Tongue and A' Mhòine. The estate includes pier, peatland and crofting land.
HISTORY
We’re proud of our heritage and our home. Many of us are descended from the original folk who settled here after being removed from their holdings during the Clearances, and have worked the land here for generations since.
In 1995, the land owner approached the community and offered the crofting estate of Melness to the local crofters. From there, we established the Melness Crofters’ Estate which is still managing the land today.
BOARD
Melness Crofters’ Estate Board has seven members. Our chair, Dorothy Pritchard, was born and raised in the area and is passionate about the local community and its future.