Tavish Scott (left))  said on that he was raising the matter with rural affairs secretary (right) Richard Lochhead after being contacted by a Shetland farmer who was told his payments had been held back because of computer problems.

“Clearly cash flow is of vital importance to the viability of a crofter or farmer’s business and the late payment of grants or other support funding can cause real problems,” Scott is reported saying.

“It is therefore important that government support funding from SRDP schemes such as the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme, the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and Rural Priorities reaches the bank accounts of crofters and farmers as quickly as possible.”

He called for an alternative system to be put in place to avoid any repetition of the delays.

IT remote access warning
Police are warning local people to beware of phone calls from a man claiming to be an IT consultant, who is requesting remote access to their home computers.

Several local people have received such calls, and the police said it would be dangerous to comply, as such a move would allow the man access to private personal data.

“Unless you have requested this action then you should at no time give authorisation for someone to remotely access your computer or divulge any personal details,” a spokesman said.