Scotland’s rural vote is gaining attention as farmers and crofters navigate major changes driven by the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, evolving environmental expectations and concerns about food security. Rising food prices linked to global conflict have sharpened focus on how food reaches supermarket shelves and who bears the cost. Proposals to cap staple food prices have raised concerns among farmers, who fear their already tight margins could be squeezed further.

Agriculture currently receives significant public funding, and political parties broadly agree on the need to support the sector through a transition that will increasingly reward environmental stewardship alongside food production. Differences remain over how funding should be distributed, with some parties proposing caps on payments to larger farms, others promising increased or multi year settlements, and several pledging to prioritise nature friendly farming.

Crofting communities in the Highlands and Islands also face change, including rising land prices and concerns that young people are being priced out. Recent legislation aims to make it easier to keep crofts within families, and further reforms are promised. While parties differ on funding and land policy, there is cross party agreement that crofting is central to Scotland’s cultural and rural future.