News

Flexible planning system required to help communities recover from Covid-19 aftermath

Press Release

Greater flexibility and a rural focus in the planning system is required if rural communities are to thrive in the future as the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic takes it toll, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business group. In their response to the Scottish Government’s call for ideas on the National Planning...

Country Sports Tourism Businesses now eligible for government help after SLE swoops in

Press Release

Scotland’s country sports tourism businesses which have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for grant funding of up to £25,000 after being left out of original Scottish Government funding support. The announcement comes after Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, wrote to both Kate Forbes...

New Chairman for Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Mark Tennant is the new Chairman of Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) the rural business organisation. Mark took over the role from David Johnstone at today’s Annual General Meeting of the organisation. Mark thanked David for all his work on behalf of SLE members and wider rural Scotland during his six years in the role. Mark said “It is with...

Support for country sports tourism businesses – our letter to the Press & Journal

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to the editor of the Press & Journal following publication of an article containing statements portraying an inaccurate picture of the contribution of country sports to Scotland’s economy. Letter: Sir, Businesses involved in Scotland’s country sports tourism sector are vital for the sustainability of...

Open letter to Scottish Government seeking clarification on support for country sports tourism businesses

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, seeking urgent clarification on the eligibility of country sports tourism businesses in the raft of new support funds announced yesterday by the Scottish Government on 21 April 2020. Letter to Ms Hyslop: Dear Cabinet Secretary, I...

Rural group responds to RSPB’s shooting consultation

Press Release

Leading shooting and rural organisations have published a joint letter in response to the RSPB’s consultation on its draft principles for gamebird shooting and associated land management. The organisations (British Association for Shooting & Conservation, Moorland Association, National Gamekeepers' Organisation, Countryside Alliance, CLA...

Fair and accurate energy efficiency tests for housing are essential

General News

Helping homeowners to reduce environmental impacts and continue the fight against climate change must be at the core of new owner-occupied housing standards says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. In its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on “Improving Energy...

Farmers fighting to feed the country see flytipping spike

Press Release

Scotland’s leading rural and environmental organisations have issued a statement in relation to the rise in fly-tipping during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Over the past few weeks, we have seen Scotland’s beautiful countryside being blighted even more with people’s junk. Farmers’ fields, laybys and lanes have become hot spots for DIY remnants...

Accessing the countryside safely during the Covid-19 pandemic

Press Release

Responding to the statement today (9 April 2020) by Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, on access rights during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates said: “It’s important for good physical and mental wellbeing that people have access to...

Scottish business community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in Covid-19 response

Press Release

Scotland’s leading business organisations have issued a joint-statement in response to the private sector’s role in tackling the Covid-19 crisis. The statement reads as follows: “As thirteen of Scotland’s leading business organisations, we speak as one in restating that protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Scottish citizens remains...