News

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and success stories from our network.

Coalition steps up court fight over rent control and eviction ban

20 Jan 2023
Press Release

Coalition steps up court fight over rent control and eviction ban Petition for Judicial Review submitted to Court of Session A coalition of landlords and letting bodies has submitted a Petition to the Court of Session in Edinburgh seeking a Judicial Review of the Scottish Government’s rent control and eviction ban legislation. The...

New muirburn training scheme a ‘step forward’ for land managers

18 Jan 2023
Press Release

A new training scheme to promote best practice in the use of muirburn has been backed by Scotland’s estates. Organised by Lantra and recognised by NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, the training course is designed for those who will take part in land management activities that use fire as a tool. Scottish Land & Estates, which...

Housing providers frustrated at ‘disproportionate’ measures extended over private rented sector

12 Jan 2023
Press Release

Extending emergency legislation governing rented housing will be to the detriment of the private rented sector, its tenants and landlords. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) reacted to an announcement at Holyrood by Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie that the measures contained in the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act 2022 will...

New appointments to Scottish Land & Estates’ team

12 Dec 2022
Press Release

Two new staff appointments have strengthened membership services at rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates. Carmen McPherson has joined as Membership Communications Manager at its Musselburgh headquarters whilst George Moore has been appointed as the South West Regional Support Officer. Prior to joining SLE, Carmen spent a...

Licensing grouse shooting must not damage a ‘vital’ land use for Scotland

13 Dec 2022
Press Release

Rural organisations united today to urge the Scottish Government not to damage a ‘land use that is so vital to Scotland’ through its proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for grouse shooting. The Scottish Government’s public consultation on their forthcoming Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill proposals ends tomorrow (Wednesday...

Grouse shooting licensing proposals are a ‘legal minefield’

14 Dec 2022
Press Release

The Scottish Government’s proposals for licensing grouse shooting are a ‘legal minefield’ with the capacity to harm rural communities and adversely impact biodiversity, land managers said today. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents rural businesses across Scotland, said some of the proposals in the public consultation on the...

Pentland Hills Farm Becomes Scotland’s Smallest Wildlife Accredited Property

7 Dec 2022
Press Release

A nature friendly family farm on the outskirts of Edinburgh has become the smallest landholding in Scotland to be awarded prestigious international wildlife accreditation. Easter Bavelaw Farm, which is nestled to the south of Threipmuir Reservoir in the Pentland Hills, has gained Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) certification following a...

Greater environmental focus in agricultural consultation welcome – but further crucial detail needed

6 Dec 2022
Press Release

Change needed to enable a bright future for Scottish farming and land management can be delivered by new agriculture legislation – but a significant lack of detail needs to be addressed rapidly by government. Responding to a consultation regarding a new agriculture bill for Scotland, rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates...

Deputy FM responds to industry letter on business rates

1 Dec 2022
General News

Deputy First Minister and interim Finance Secretary, John Swinney MSP, has responded to an industry letter calling on the Scottish Government to freeze business rates in the forthcoming Scottish budget statement on 15 December. Nineteen leading business representative groups and industry bodies, including Scottish Land & Estates and...

National Parks in Scotland should continue balancing environmental, social and economic goals

1 Dec 2022
Press Release

Scotland’s national parks should retain a balance of bringing together environmental, social and economic objectives rather than a singular focus on the drive to net-zero and nature recovery. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, made the comments as part of its response to a NatureScot consultation, The future for...