News

No one-sized-fits-all solution to empty homes in Scotland

Press Release

A vital link exists between the number of empty homes and the vitality of a remote, rural community, particularly in areas with a declining population. That was one of a number of key messages to come from a parliamentary debate held earlier this week into empty homes in Scotland. The debate came as a result of a short inquiry held by the...

Scotland’s vital tourism sector must be supported

Press Release

At a time when Scotland’s fragile rural economy is facing unprecedented changes and an uncertain future, care must be taken to ensure any changes to the regulations for short-term lets doesn’t have a negative impact on Scotland’s vital tourism sector. Following on from the announcement of the Scottish Government’s intention to introduce a...

Call for Scottish budget to fund Scotland’s response to the climate emergency

Press Release

Today the Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) published a report calling for the Scottish Government to announce a transformative Climate Emergency Scottish Budget that will support Scotland’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2045 with rapid action required over the next decade. The report estimates the public spend required to...

Saving our wild salmon: Making salmon conservation a national priority

Press Release

Leading figures in salmon conservation will meet key politicians at the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday, January 7) to address a looming crisis in wild stocks. Environmental change, and a range of human impacts across the Northern Hemisphere are placing salmon at risk across their natural range. Today's event will explore what can be...

Next Scottish Land & Estates Chairman announced

Press Release

Mark Tennant has been appointed Chairman Designate by the Board of Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) the rural business organisation. Mark’s family business Innes Estate in Elgin has been a member of SLE for over 40 years. During that time Mark has been a member of the organisation’s Highland Committee twice as well as Vice-Chair (Policy)...

Scottish landowners calling out telecoms giants

Press Release

Farmers and other landowners in Scotland have seen the average rent paid by telecoms giants to use their land for mobile phone masts and broadband apparatus slashed since a new Electronic Communications Code was introduced two years ago. The Code, introduced by the UK Government on 28 December 2017, intends to facilitate the installation...

SLE statement on wildlife crime report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates said today that the latest Scottish Government Wildlife Crime Report published today showed that crimes against birds of prey remain at historically low levels but efforts to stamp out raptor persecution were being undermined by rogue individuals. Tim Baynes, SLE’s Moorland Director, said: “Estates share the...

SLE statement on Werritty Report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, said today the recommendations of a government-led review into grouse moor management will have far-reaching and worrying implications for rural communities. The main recommendations of the review, chaired by Professor Alan Werritty, include plans to license and place further...

Grouse shooting review will mean 'seismic' change for moors in Scotland

Press Release

Rural organisations said today that the recommendations of a government-commissioned review of grouse moor management will mean a ‘seismic’ change for grouse moors across Scotland. Following publication of the review group’s report, a joint statement was issued by: British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Scottish Countryside...

Rural businesses call for bold and ambitious leadership

Press Release

Scotland’s rural sector must grasp this opportunity to make the changes required to help deliver a resilient, efficient and thriving rural sector and to tackle the climate emergency head on says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. Following an evidence session with the Scottish...