Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP and the Convenor of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Crofting in the Scottish Parliament, has welcomed the news that Crofting Commissioner and Coll crofter Colin Kennedy has been elected by fellow Crofting Commissioners as the new chairman of the Crofting Commission.Speaking today Jamie said:“ I warmly congratulate Colin Kennedy on his election. I have worked with Colin on a number of issues over the years and his extensive practical experience as a crofter and lobster fisherman on Coll and passion for crofting- often voiced at our cross party group meetings- will be big assets to the sector in his role as chairman. I look forward to working with him in the interests of our crofting communities.“ I also welcome the fact that the Minister Aileen McLeod allowed the crofting commissioners themselves to elect their chairman rather than making a Ministerial appointment. I urged her to take this course of action when I questioned her on this subject in Parliament last month. This is a positive move and I hope Scottish Governments will aim to repeat this for future appointments.”