News

Helping it Happen Awards Launched for 2024

Press Release

Rural communities are being urged to share success stories from their local area as the Helping it Happen Awards 2024 nominations are launched. Estates, farms, rural businesses, individuals, charities, and projects can all be nominated for the awards that focus on the essential role these parties play in helping the Scottish countryside...

Grouse moor operators’ statement on Hen Harrier Survey

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents land-based businesses across Scotland, issued the following statement in response to the Hen Harrier Survey published by RSPB. Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “This survey makes clear that Scotland remains the stronghold for Hen Harriers in the UK, with nearly 80...

Collective deer management effort under risk from proposed nature restoration orders

Press Release

Land managers have urged the Scottish Government to work with them rather than against them over the future of deer management. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, made the comments after responding to the government’s ‘Managing Deer for Climate and Nature’ consultation which closes today. The consultation has sought...

Farmer and land manager input can deliver a better Agriculture Bill

Press Release

Calls for a draft Rural Support Plan to be published before the new Scottish agriculture bill becomes law have been backed by Scottish Land & Estates. Following the Stage 1 debate on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill on Wednesday, the rural business organisation said that earlier publication of the support plan, which...

New housing bill repeats the mistakes of previous legislation

Press Release

The new Housing Bill will ‘compound the mistakes’ the Scottish Government has already made with the private rented sector, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The new bill has been laid before the Scottish Parliament and includes provisions to introduce rent control areas, restrictions on rent increases, delays on evictions and new rules...

Questions remain unanswered on new Agriculture Bill ahead of key Holyrood debate

Press Release

Concerns around the continued lack of clarity being given to Scotland’s agricultural sector on the impact of the new agriculture bill are not being addressed by government, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Ahead of the Stage 1 Debate on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, the rural business organisation’s Senior...

Livestock attacks rise again as SLE urges caution regarding dogs in the countryside this Easter

Press Release

The number of livestock attacks in Scotland increased in 2023 - despite tough new legislation aimed at tackling the issue. In new statistics obtained by Scottish Land & Estates, 350 incidents of attacks or worrying of livestock were recorded last year according to Police Scotland. This was up from 290 incidents recorded in 2022 – an...

Licensing ushers in biggest transformation for generations in grouse moor management

Press Release

Licensing will be a ‘seismic change’ in how grouse moor management operates, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation was speaking after the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon. Estates wanting to shoot grouse will now require a licence which will...

Kinnordy Estate in Angus Achieves Coveted Wildlife Estates Accreditation

Press Release

A rural estate in Angus is the latest landholding to earn prestigious international accreditation in recognition of their efforts in wildlife and habitat management and conservation. Kinnordy Estate, a mixed estate just north of Kirriemuir, has achieved Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation. WES is a national version of the...

Scottish Land & Estates statement on Scotland climate change report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has issued the following statement on the publication of the new CCC report on Progress in Reducing Emissions in Scotland. Stephen Young, Director of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The CCC report highlights the stark challenges that already exist in Scotland achieving...