KNOCKROME & ARDFARNAL CROFTING TOWNSHIP   

JURA’S MAJOR CROFTING AREA 

History

Archaeology notes that the evidence for mankind’s presence on the Isle of Jura has been dated back to 11,000 to 8,000 BC, that is to say some 13,000 to 10,000 years before present day.  Further, it is known through archaeology that the Cùl a’ Bhaile hut circle on the Knockrome-Ardfarnal crofting landscape has been dated to approximately 1600 BC or some 3600 years before present.  Still, this pre-dates man’s ability to write and record events, as far as is presently known, in this region of the world and therefore is referred to as pre-historical.

The historical period for Western Scotland can be said to begin with the commentaries of Greek, Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman geographers around 350 BC.  The area containing Jura and the present day Kintyre peninsula was recorded by Ptolemy the Greek as being the “land of the Epidii”, or “horse people” around 200 AD.  While there is mention of events in the west of Scotland by Irish annalists, continuous historical commentary for the region can be said to arrive with St. Columba and his cadre of highly literate scribes at Iona in 563 AD.

Knockrome and Ardfarnal are first mentioned in various land agreements and treaties during the 16^th century, but the first apparent historical document referring to activities by people within the current Knockrome-Ardfarnal landscape occurs in 1600.  But, what was the geography of the landscape?  How did the people of Knockrome-Ardfarnal live within the landscape and what did the landscape look like? To find out you need to buy the CD-ROM produced by the people of the township! Contact:  Director@theisleofjura.co.uk

 

The Knockrome-Ardfarnal community, as we see it today, is concentrated within a small area of arable land.  This geography is due to a combination of changes: climatic, cultural, political and economic.  The pre-historic and early historical inhabitants of the community lived on a fragile landscape that they knew could provide sustainable agricultural returns over a long term if they conscientiously managed it. They also lived in a landscape that, by present day terms, was extraordinarily bio-diverse.  This was not a by-product of their land management, but the result of an awareness developed about their environment over thousands of years.

Present day trends in the Knockrome-Ardfarnal crofting community

Since 2000 the township has powered ahead as we crofters have decided to take the initiative and reverse the decline prevalent over the island as a whole.  Three new families have gained crofts in the township. These new crofts were formed by family assignation and enlargement, a re-let and a subdivision. They are all young Jura families who are building houses within the township. Being allowed to build new houses on croft land has stemmed from the recent, more flexible attitude of planning regulators.

The Grazing Committee have over a period of time identified various township projects which could/will be developed. The principle goal is to make the most efficient and sustainable use of the local environment, improve working conditions in the crofts, stabilize and improve the income and well being of the crofting and farming families who live and work in the township and indirectly help improve the quality of life of the whole island community.

A Crofting Community Development Plan, which was done in conjunction with the Crofters Commission, is just coming to an end. The plan was also financially assisted by Argyll & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage and LEADER+ (European funding). This first phase included a rural machinery ring, which is used throughout the island. Production of a cultural and environmental CD-ROM, which is on sale locally and by mail order. The provision of kissing gates to make access easier for walkers and the production of interpretative signage for visitors.

Further phases will include, the scoping of renewable resources, the erection of a general purpose shed for storing equipment, the removal of non natural plants, provision of new cattle grids and fencing for the better control of stock, clearing scrub from old tracks to improve access for visitors and crofters and the fencing of old woods to allow natural regeneration. Further projects, which may be considered in conjunction with other groups, include, the investigation of methods of reversing the decline in Black Grouse, improvements to the local airstrip (should that be needed), the rebuilding of old houses in the township, possible tourist ventures and archaeological investigation within the township. All these are and will be driven by the crofting group themselves not outside parties. 

The whole township has been under an Environmentally Sensitive Agreement with the government for the last ten years. This has influenced the present landscape by reducing grazing, which is encouraging scrubland and herb rich grasslands, rushes, and wetlands areas to flourish. Silage is cut late to allow the flowering of wild plants and to encourage meadowland birds such as corncrakes.  Many crofters doubt that there has been any major environmental benefit as weeds are encroaching in to the fields, the herb rich meadows are becoming overgrown and the Ardfarnal woodland is becoming impenetrable. However the ESA was of great financial benefit to the community as they ploughed the income into township projects.

 

General Information

Knockrome and Ardfarnal are bound by the Sound of Jura on the east, Small Isles Bay and Forest Estate on the south, the Paps of Jura to the west and to the north by Ardmenish Township and Lowlandmans Bay. The Jura main road runs through the common grazing with an unclassed road passing through the in bye and villages. Total size of the township is 762ha. The soumings (number of stock allowed) is 152 livestock units. There are 7 registered crofts and 1 tenancy. (One of the crofts is sublet to another crofter).    Today’s croft sizes vary from 4ha to 20ha of in bye land and this is land suitable for growing crops and fodder. To ensure that everyone gets a share of the good land, fields are quite small and are scattered throughout the township.  This crofting area produces approximately 25% of the islands agricultural output. The owners are North Jura Ltd (The Viscount Astor) with whom the township has a good repartee. The Common Grazing Committee who is responsible for looking after the area has 12 members.

 

Population

Ardfarnal now has 7 people resident with 10 living in Knockrome.   Another four families have farms but live out with the township boundaries and this accounts for a further 12 persons.

Of the seven working holdings, one family relies on the croft for their main income along with a croft in another township. Another member relies on the croft for a main income but also works part time in the tourist industry. Two people are employed full time on estates, two are employed in the distillery and one works part time with the utility groups. Spouses or other family members are involved in part time community nursing, part time bus driver, part time work in the tourist industry, and a full time machine operator.

Also within the township are two non-crofting families. One of which runs self-catering accommodation and the other provides a B&B facility. There are also 7 holiday or second homes within the area. Most of these all belong to people whose ancestors came from the area. Two of these houses is also used for self-catering holiday lets. In total the crofters and township resident’s account for 16% of the present island population. A significant proportion.

 

Full details and pictures of the township are available on our CD-ROM, “5000 Thousand Years and More”. A virtual atlas containing cultural, environmental, historical, geographical and scientific information with maps, photos, movies and music.  A must for anyone whose ancestors came from Jura. Contact: director@theisleofjura.co.uk