News

Response to Scottish Land Commission report

Press Release

In response to the Scottish Land Commission’s final report on a potential land value tax in Scotland, Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We’ll need to reflect on the details before commenting further but we can say that taxation must be considered in the round, rather than looking at just one idea in...

Positive vision for Scottish forestry would benefit from enhanced land use strategy

Press Release

A bright future for Scottish forestry lies ahead if an integrated land use strategy which underpins forestry, farming and other sectors can be realised. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) made the comments in its response to the consultation on Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-29 which was undertaken by the Scottish Government . The...

SLE supports call to scrap new rates levy on out of town business

General News

We have joined twenty of the country’s leading business organisations in a joint letter to Scottish Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay MSP, urging him to scrap the proposed new business rates levy on out of town premises. The organisations represent a wide cross section of Scottish industry including manufacturing, retail, energy, commercial...

Scottish Land & Estates' statement on community ownership report

Press Release

In response to publication today (Friday, November 23) of a report by the Scottish Land Commission on community land ownership, Scottish Land & Estates issued the following statement. Sarah Jane Laing, executive director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: "Community ownership of land and property can deliver positive outcomes for rural areas...

AHDB evolution supported by Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Reform rather than removal of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) would serve farming and rural business best, Scottish Land & Estates has said. SLE has entered its response to a DEFRA-led consultation on the future of the board and the functions it provides. The board currently undertakes a range of research and...

SLE member engagement boosted by Regional Officer return

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates’ engagement with members has been further strengthened by the reappointment of one of the organisation’s previous regional officers. Scott Petrie, who worked for SLE as North East & Central Regional Manager between 2010 and 2014, has returned to support the Central region for the rural business body. He joins a...

Transparency of land ownership supported but complex regulations raise concern

Press Release

Transparency of land ownership is important to both rural and urban Scotland – but new regulations around transparency and setting up a new Register need to be proportionate and easily understood. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) made the comments in their submission to a Scottish Government consultation examining draft regulations on...

Countryside organisations support official review of grouse moor management

Press Release

Countryside and wildlife organisations today appealed for the Scottish Government-led review into grouse moor management to be allowed to take its course in the interests of rural Scotland. The British Association of Shooting and Conservation, The Scottish Countryside Alliance, Scottish Land & Estates and the Scottish Association of...

SLE statement on Hen Harriers

Press Release

A spokesperson for SLE said: “Anyone with information on the location of these hen harriers should contact Police Scotland as soon as possible. “Neither Scottish Land & Estates, nor its members, were aware of these cases until the distribution of a press release. “Where a satellite tag stops transmitting, we cannot instantly conclude that...

Two new staff members join SLE’s policy department

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has further enhanced its policy expertise with the appointment of two new staff members. Rebekah Strong joins the organisation in the newly created role of Environment Assistant whilst Emma Steel starts work at SLE as a Policy Assistant to support the team in political, stakeholder and member engagement. The new...