Raasay Crofters’ Association
Raasay Crofters Association was set up in 1994 in order to manage the shooting and fishing rights on Raasay on behalf of the local crofters when Skye & Lochalsh Enterprise indicated they no longer wished to lease them from the Scottish Executive.
Membership of the Association is open to crofters on Raasay and others who are interested in furthering the work of the Association. It is run by a local committee which raises money from membership subscriptions, stalking, venison sales, fishing permits, woodcock shooting and such like and is thereby able to pay an annual rent to SEERAD.
For many years the Association struggled to raise the money needed to pay the rent and insurance required but has managed to make a surplus for a few years and looks towards using this for the benefit of the whole community. It is currently attempting to reinstate the old deer fence behind Inverarish which would keep marauding deer from causing untold damage in gardens.
Stalking
During October the Association has taken in groups of stalker to the island along with an experienced ghillie. The deer population on Raasay has increased substantially in the last number of years and there are several animals in superb condition. The photograph shows a magnificent 12-pointer which was shot in October 2004 by a visitor from Germany.
Woodcock Shooting
The first group in recent years to visit Raasay to shoot woodcock arrived in December 2004. This was organised by Robert Watson from Fife, a Member of the International Professional Hunters Association, who read in “The Badminton Library” shooting series (1886) that the island was noted as having excellent woodcock and snipe shooting. The annual numbers taken then being from 500 in a normal season to 916 in 1885-86! The visit proved successful and we look forward to welcoming Mr Watson and more guests this winter.
Venison Sales
The Association has sold venison locally since its inception. Initially this was done only as whole or half carcasses but in 2005 we sent some carcasses to be professionally butchered and packed. It was then returned to Raasay to be sold locally. Venison is only available when one of the members has time to go out and get a stag or a hind but every attempt is made to meet demand.
Fishing
Permit trout fishing is available in most of the lochs on Raasay. The most popular lochs are Loch na Meillich & Loch na Mna close to Dun Caan, the loch near Brochel and those beyond Balachurn and the Skye & Lochalsh Angling Group brochure contains details of them all. Permits cost £2 per day, £5 per week and £10 per year and are available from Raasay Stores.
Contact:
For more details on the Association please contact the
Secretary:-
Mrs Anne Gillies,
5 Mill Park,
Isle of Raasay,
By Kyle,
IV40 8PA.
Tel 01478 660284.
Email anne@raasayhomefarm.co.uk
