News

Employment support and training can aid rural economy

Press Release

Additional government funding for employment support and training has been welcomed today by Scottish Land & Estates. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of SLE, said: “The Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £100m to be made available this year for targeted employment support and training is good news for those in and out...

SLE welcomes measures that can boost recovery in rural Scotland

Press Release

A cut in hospitality and tourism VAT are among the measures Scottish Land & Estates welcomes in delivering a recovery boost to rural Scotland. Mark Tennant, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The cut in VAT for tourism and hospitality is a measure that we have called for and is one we are delighted to see implemented for rural...

Changes to guidance for phase 2 of Scotland’s route map out of the covid crisis

General News

Today (02 July) the First Minster announced changes to the guidance for Phase 2 of Scotland’s route map out of the covid crisis. This has seen the relaxation of several rules due to changing scientific advice and the current levels of infection. The main changes taking place during the remainder of Phase 2 for individuals and businesses...

New Vice-Chairs complete SLE top team

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation has appointed two new Vice-Chairs to complete their top team. Dee Ward, who built up and sold an office water cooler business, before buying and running Rottal Estate in the Angus Glens, moves from his current role as SLE Vice Chair (Operations) to become the...

‘Missing’ hen harriers raised with police

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates said today that it has contacted Police Scotland over allegations that two hen harriers have disappeared in the Cairngorms National Park. Tim Baynes, Moorland Director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We were made aware today of information that two satellite-tagged hen harriers had stopped transmitting and have...

Protocols for landowning charities and trusts provide opportunity to enhance engagement

Press Release

New protocols for ownership of land by charities and private trusts can aid effective engagement with communities, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The good practice documents, issued by the Scottish Land Commission this week, set out expectations relating to transparency, accountability and governance of land owned by these vehicles...

SLE responds to Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee on coronavirus impact

Press Release

In its written response to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on the impact of coronavirus on Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business membership organisation, has said that proper collaboration of governments in the UK is needed for Scotland to thrive post-Covid. Commenting, Stephen Young, Head of Policy at...

Statement on Economic Recovery Report

Press Release

Commenting on the report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery – ‘Towards a Robust, Resilient Wellbeing Economy for Scotland’, Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates said: “A successful economic recovery for Scotland is crucial for our rural communities, some of whom have been hit particularly hard during the...

Progress made on short-term clarity for Scotland’s farming sector

Press Release

Scotland’s farming sector welcomes the security provided by this short-term Bill but remain keen to advance discussions on a longer-term solution to develop a resilient, efficient and thriving sector, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). Following on from Wednesday’s meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity...

Rural organisations unite in letter to Scottish Government over mountain hare vote

Press Release

Scotland’s rural organisations have expressed ‘shock and dismay’ about the parliamentary process which has led to full licensing of mountain hare controls. In a joint letter sent to Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, the six organisations said that whilst they had supported the broad thrust of this new...