Guest blog: Inheritance Tax Reform – impacts and implications

As has been well reported, the Chancellor's Autumn Budget introduced unexpected major reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), causing upset within the sector. The government claims they aim to raise funds to fix public finances while protecting small family farms

Firearms licensing costs pose additional burden on rural sector

Significant changes to firearms licensing fees come into effect today. On behalf of our members we have written to the Home Office to express our concerns. A shotgun certificate renewal is increasing from £49 to £126, a rise of 157 per cent. In addition a

Guest blog: SSEN Transmission Capital Development & Delivery Projects: Forestry Management

Readers will already be aware that SSEN Transmission is in a period of extraordinary activity as we develop multiple transmission projects across our network area. As a transmission operator, we are responsible for the electricity transmission network in the

The Land Reform Bill requires a major rethink

This article appeared originally in The Press and Journal on Saturday 18 January 2025 with some minor edits. The original article as supplied is reproduced below. It is almost a decade since the Scottish Government unveiled an interim report of a group it had

Why you could be paying too much for energy – and how to change that

Running a rural business or estate comes with plenty of costs, and energy bills can be one of the toughest to manage. With prices climbing, finding effective ways to cut back without affecting your day-to-day operations has never been more important. Voltage

Water and Wastewater: The Overlooked Burden on Private Landowners

Water supplies are taken for granted in Scotland because Scottish Government figures show that only 3% of Scotland’s population get their drinking water from private water supplies, not owned or operated by Scottish Water. Most of these people are in remote

Scotland’s first grouse shooting season under licence – an update from SLE

Much has been said over the last few weeks about changes to the licensing scheme for grouse moors in Scotland. Today, on the last day of the grouse shooting season, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is providing an update to correct some of the claims made over

Guest blog: All I want for Christmas is…low carbon heat funding in 2025?

As the year draws to a close, many landowners are making plans to decarbonise buildings and estates in 2025. The inexorable direction of government Net Zero policy and the multiple recent shocks in energy pricing are driving plans and practical projects at an

Guest blog/case study: The sensitive restoration of a 16th-century Scottish Tower House

Fairburn Tower was built around 1545 and is a typical example of a four-storey Scottish tower house. Adaptations in the early 17th century saw the addition of a fine stair turret. Aside of these adaptations, the building is a rare survival from the Scottish

Guest blog: Rethinking Rural Resilience: How Newcastleton is Harnessing Technology to Shape a Sustainable Future

Rural communities are the heart of Scottish tradition, but are also embracing innovation to help them thrive. Situated 25 miles from the nearest urban hub, the remote village of Newcastleton juggles flooding, nature restoration, boosting the local economy, and