August 19th, 2009
Small Farming in Gairloch, Scotland
Small farms are known throughout the world for the diversity that is gained by the different areas of land being used specifically to grow produce and support livestock, that are most suitable for any given crop or animal. They are organized biologically, and environmentally, they promote the traditional means of farming as well as utilizing new technology, and they create a social context in which the people in a given town are brought closer together, as everyone relies on each other.
Such is the case in the Scottish town of Gairloch, where this traditional form of small farming is called crofting. This has been the case for years and years, with each farmer utilizing their own land in the best and most efficient possible way. When one visits the village, there are many Gairloch hotels to chose from that are situated in such areas. The benefits to the environment are immediately noticeable. These include the most responsible uses of water and soil, and reduce the negative effects that are taken on the wildlife.
And the wildlife and bird species are plentiful in Gairloch. This is one of the aspects of the charming town that many out door enthusiasts find most enjoyable, for long nature walks and afternoons spent bird watching. This kind of farming has also served to bring the community of Gairloch together in a way that is noticeable at once to the first time visitor. This is good for the farmers as well as the rest of the businesses located in the town, as the merchants rely on the farmers, who rely on the restaurants and so on.
It is a more equitable way in which to use the land. These smaller farms are also less likely to rely on the kinds of actions necessary to sustain the larger and less diverse factory farms, such as chemical fertilizer. Not only are they more likely to produce less harm to the environment, they are often times more production in relation to their size. Per unit land yield is higher on most small farms. This is just one of the aspects which makes Gairloch a pleasant destination for travel and exploration.

