BBC documentary highlights South Uist crofting

A new three-part BBC Alba documentary offers a personal portrait of the crofting calendar on South Uist - past and present.

The first two episodes of 'San Fhuil/It's In The Blood' are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, with the third episode airing tomorrow 12 December at 9pm on BBC Alba. All three episodes will be available on the iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast.

The traditional crofting methods enable rare species of birds and flowers to thrive that are extinct elsewhere in the British Isles. Conflicts arise from the dramatic weather system and the front-line cycles of life and death, and from the flocking geese. 

Over the last 30 years, the resident population of Greylags has increased from less than 1,000 to over 9,000 birds. With little to check the breeding Greylag, the geese are destroying the cultivation of Uist corn. 

How the crofters meet these and other challenges with wits, humour and determination is a core driver of the action.

Find out more and watch 'San Fhuil/It's In The Blood' on BBC iPlayer.