News

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...

Rural businesses ready to help drive Scotland’s economic growth

Press Release

Rural businesses are ready, willing, and able to support the Scottish Government’s ambition to grow Scotland’s economy during the new parliamentary term, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has said. The rural business organisation was responding to the Programme for Government, outlined by First Minister John Swinney today. The First Minister...

New report reveals scale of Glenmore-Strathnethy wildfire response

Press Release

Scotland’s wildfire response cannot run on goodwill alone, rural businesses warn A new report has found more than 3,300 hectares were burned in the Glenmore-Strathnethy wildfire – with more than 40 businesses and organisations and £6.4 million of private-sector equipment involved in the response efforts. Published by Scottish Land &...

SLE warns General Licence changes risk adding unnecessary burden for rural businesses

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is calling for a consistent and proportionate approach to the review of the general licensing scheme in Scotland to protect food production, public safety and the conservation of vulnerable species. NatureScot is consulting on changes to General Licences, which are granted to...