Other employment in the area is not directly dependant on the natural environment and shows the normal range that would be expected in a small rural community, such as construction, transport etc.
Agricultural production in Wester Ross is mainly from crofting, with sheep as the principle livestock. The settlements around Loch Torridon seem typical of the wider area. There are also a few larger sheep farms. The district is classified as a Less Favoured Area. The main settlements in the study area are derived from crofting townships. Patterns of agricultural and crofting activity have changed markedly over recent times, with an increased dependancy on headage payments for income and a developing interest in forestry as a form of diversification. Crofting has always been supplemented by other income and this study supports that view. In Torridon tourism and aquaculture are important providers of income.
A recent study shows serious concerns within crofting communities about the future of crofting. (Crofters Commission, 1997). Traditionally agriculture has supported many families in the Highlands and losses in the primary sector are particularly damaging to fragile communities.
In the Highlands and Islands crofting has traditionally been linked to small-scale coastal fishing activity. This type of crofter/fishing activity has significantly reduced and in Scotland as a whole employment has fallen from 90 persons in 1992 to 60 in 1996.(SOAEFD, Sea Fishery Statistics, 1996). In Wester Ross only 6 persons are now shown as crofter-fishermen.
Recent work by the Wester Ross Fisheries Trust has revealed a decline in sea trout and salmon runs to the rivers in the system. This decline is in both numbers and size of fish with an increase becoming apparent in the catches of brown trout as opposed to sea trout in the rivers. Several reasons are given for this decline, and scientific analysis is continuing on the subject. A fish trap is being installed on the River Shieldaig by SOAEFD to monitor stocks. The local school is involved in the project which also aims to increase recruitment to the system through stocking. The establishment and operation of the trap will create employment for one full-time post and two assistants.
The decline in rod caught fish has a commercial impact as guests used to come for lengthy stays to fish. This market has almost completely disappeared along with the employment of local ghillies. Hotels have replaced the lost fishing trade by an increase in passing trade, but overall there has been a loss of employment from sea-run fishing. The study has been unable to quantify the extent of this change.
There is an unquantified amount of income generated from casual shellfish gathering. Estimated employment in this sector varies as some of the shellfish gatherers are only in the area for a short time, but a reasonable estimate of locally-resident gathers is about 10 part time through the season. This figure has not been added to the total for the loch as it is unsubstantiated.
Full access to sea and freshwater fisheries data was not possible as SOAEFD, who maintain statistical records, will only disclose information on a statistically anonymous or whole river basis and not all proprietors and boat owners responded to requests for consent to allow access to records. Where information has been included in the report it has been with the full consent of the relevant party.
