News

35 Business bodies unite to call for rates freeze

Press Release

Thirty-five leading business representative groups and industry bodies including SLE have jointly written to the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary asking her to freeze the business rate in the coming financial year. The thirty-five organisations represent a broad cross section of Scottish industry and...

Housing crisis issues still must be tackled following court decision

Press Release

Urgent action should be taken by the Scottish Government to address fundamental problems in the housing sector, despite a ruling a court ruling today on rent freezes and eviction bans. Landlords expressed ‘disappointment and frustration’ following Lord Harrower’s judgment in the Court of Session which ruled against a judicial review of...

Management Of Game Assurance Scheme Transferring From BGA To Aim To Sustain

Press Release

The infrastructure of the assurance scheme built by British Game Assurance (BGA) will be transferred to Aim to Sustain (A2S), it was announced today (Monday, October 16th). The Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme will allow Scottish and UK game farms, game shoots and estates to demonstrate publicly that they operate to the highest...

Vital contribution of Scotland’s rural businesses recognised at Helping it Happen Awards 2023

Press Release

Eleven businesses, community partnerships and individuals from across rural Scotland have triumphed at the national Helping it Happen awards, recognising their outstanding work supporting the economy, jobs and education, wildlife and the environment. Winners include Arbikie Highland Estate who scooped the Innovation in Farming Award...

150 land managers hit out at prospective ban on snares and cable restraints

Press Release

150 land managers have signed a letter urging the Scottish Government to retain the use of humane cable restraints as it considers a ban on the use of traditional snares. Humane cable restraints are a modern device used predominantly by farmers and gamekeepers to control fox populations in order to protect livestock and other wildlife...

SLE Welcomes Draft Agriculture Bill’s Dedication to Sustainable Farming and Nature

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed publication of the draft Agriculture Bill and its commitment to environment and nature. The Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill will reform how the Scottish Government supports farming and food production in Scotland. It will legislate to introduce a new framework of support to replace the current...

Wildlife Estates Accreditation Awarded To Landholdings At Speyside And Scottish Borders

Press Release

Two Scottish estates have earned prestigious international accreditation in recognition of their efforts in wildlife management and conservation. Glenrinnes Organic Estate near Dufftown on Speyside and Torwoodlee Estate, near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders have been awarded Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation. The awards...

Short-Term Lets Licence Extension Vital For Rural Scotland

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates has added its voice to calls for the deadline for businesses to apply for a short-term let licence to be extended. SLE said that measures to comply with licensing, such as obtaining various types of certifications, were simply unfeasible for many businesses given the shortage of...

400 rural businesses voice opposition to grouse shooting licensing plans

Press Release

Nearly 400 businesses have joined together to urge the Scottish Government to avoid a ‘disastrous and irreversible’ outcome for rural Scotland from its plans to licence grouse shooting. Butchers, hotels, tradespeople, farms and upland estates are amongst those to have written to Environment Minister, Gillan Martin MSP, seeking changes to...

Landowner-Government Partnership Key To Addressing Wildlife And Habitat Loss

Press Release

Collaboration between government, business and landowners is key to reversing the huge loss in wildlife and biodiversity both in Scotland and across Europe, an international congress being held in Edinburgh has heard. Wildlife Estates (WE) International Congress is being attended by representatives from 11 of the 19 member countries...