News

Statement on the Programme for Government 2023-24

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to increase rural housing supply - but added that it needs to rebuild its trust with businesses to help achieve its policy aims. The rural business organisation made the comments in response to the Programme for Government announced by First Minister Humza Yousaf...

Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new Chair

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland, an accreditation initiative to promote the best habitat and wildlife management practices for farms and estates, has appointed a new chairperson. Miles Montgomerie, owner of Southannan Farms and West Glenalmond in Perthshire, has been appointed to the role. Mr Montgomerie takes over from Dee Ward who recently...

Scottish Government urged to meet climate challenge head on and seize opportunities of a net zero economy

Press Release

An urgent set of actions required from Scottish Government to ramp up progress in tackling the climate emergency through measures that have fairness and equality at their heart. CERG calls for this year’s Programme for Government to reflect a fully coordinated Scottish Government response to the climate emergency to meet ambitious 2030...

Snaring ban threatens a 'crippling blow' to biodiversity

Press Release

The Scottish Government’s intention to ban the use of snares in Scotland would deliver a crippling blow to attempts to reverse biodiversity loss, particularly for endangered ground-nesting birds, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The government has announced a consultation on prohibiting the devices, which are used to control foxes, as...

Glorious Twelfth starts with a bang across Scotland

Press Release

The official start of the grouse season, the Glorious Twelfth , began in Scotland today, with sporting estates hoping for a good season following the difficult years of the pandemic and hot weather during 2021 and 2022. A grouse day is considered to be the pinnacle of country sports activity, attracting participants from all over the UK...

Glorious Twelfth at risk from ‘excessive’ legislation

Press Release

The official start of the grouse season, the Glorious Twelfth, begins tomorrow, with shooting parties taking to the moors across Scotland from the Lammermuirs in the south to the Dornoch Firth in the north. The game and country sports sector is worth over £350m per year to the Scottish economy. Over 11,000 full time jobs are supported by...

Grouse moor management offers ‘most sustainable option for tackling climate change and biodiversity loss’, according to new report

General News

A new report concludes that, based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) environmental, social and economic definitions, moorland managed for grouse shooting provides greater overall benefits than any alternative use. Written by Professor Simon Denny, formerly of the University of Northampton, and reviewed by Professor...

Outstanding contributions to rural Scotland honoured in Helping it Happen Awards

Press Release

Three leading figures working in rural Scotland have been nominated today for a prestigious outstanding contribution award. The Helping it Happen Scottish Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland aims to celebrate those who have spent their lives working in and for Scotland’s countryside. Scottish Land & Estates has announced...

Shooting guidance under new hunting with dogs legislation to avoid falling foul of the law

Press Release

Eight rural organisations have published new guidance for walked-up and rough shooting and field trials, ready for the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 coming into force in the autumn. Once the Act comes into effect, no more than two dogs can be used at the same time to flush a mammal for shooting and rabbits are now included in...

Burncastle Estate awarded prestigious Wildlife Estates Scotland accreditation

Press Release

The Duke of Northumberland’s Burncastle Estate near the Lammermuir Hills is the latest landholding to have been awarded prestigious wildlife recognition to acknowledge its outstanding conservation work. Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation was presented to the estate at the Border Union Show at Kelso this weekend. Burncastle...