News

Extraordinary commitment to rural Scotland in the spotlight as Helping it Happen Awards celebrate 10 years of trailblazers

Press Release

A charity helping young people understand farming and food production was crowned Rural Champion at Scotland's flagship rural awards last night, hosted by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). Emma Ruxton, of Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) won the Rural Champion Award, receiving a prize of £10,000 to support the work of the RNCI...

SLE welcomes heating oil support extension and calls for investment in warmer rural homes

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the extension of emergency heating oil support, while calling for long-term investment in rural homes to tackle the underlying causes of fuel poverty. The rural business organisation said the Scottish Government’s announcement would provide important help this winter - but lasting progress depended on...

Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new Chair

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) has appointed Alan Balfour as Chair of the prestigious accreditation scheme. Alan Balfour owns Scourie Estate, a crofting estate in the North West Highlands, with level 2 WES accreditation. Alan is Chairman of Scottish Salmon Education and Research Fund, Convenor of West Sutherland Fisheries District Board...

Emma Roddick MSP visits Glenmazeran to see sustainable moorland management in action

Press Release

Glenmazeran Estate recently welcomed Emma Roddick MSP for a visit to learn more about the practical delivery of sustainable moorland management and its role in supporting biodiversity, rural employment and wildlife conservation. Emma Roddick met Murray Wilson, Headkeeper at Glenmazeran, to discuss the day-to-day management of the moorland...

New Report Sets Out Business Rates Reform to Support Scotland’s Growth Ambitions

Press Release

A new policy blueprint has set out proposals for a fairer business rates system to encourage rural investment, support jobs and protect funding for local services. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, said its reform paper offers a practical basis for working with the Scottish Government on changes that would...

Scottish Land & Estates supports appeal for information on red kite

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is supporting the Police Scotland appeal for information about a red kite caught in an illegal trap in Aberdeenshire in May this year. Ross Ewing, director of moorland and strategic projects for SLE, said: “This is a concerning incident. Red kites are a protected species and many...

Good housing key to thriving rural communities, SLE says

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) says good quality housing in rural Scotland is essential economic infrastructure. The theme of this year’s Scottish Housing Day on 16 September, organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Scottish government and partners, is ‘healthy homes, healthy futures’. SLE believes...

Rural Crime Action Week highlights human and financial toll

Press Release

Rural crime continues to impose significant financial and emotional pressures on Scotland’s farmers and land managers, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has warned. Ahead of National Rural Crime Action Week, which runs from 6 to 11 September, the rural business organisation said crimes including machinery and fuel theft, fly-tipping and...

SLE strongly welcomes dedicated helicopter support for wildfire response

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has firmly welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be able to place helicopters on standby and mobilise them immediately when Scotland’s wildfire risk is assessed as high, very high or extreme risk. The announcement was made by the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for...

Scottish Land & Estates supports police appeal following poisoning of bird of prey in Aberdeenshire

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has today backed a Police Scotland appeal for information after a red kites was confirmed to have been poisoned in Aberdeenshire. On 30 June, 2026, a member of the public was walking at Morven Hill, near the village of Dinnet, when they found a dead red kite. Following enquiries, it was established that the red...