News

Muirburn vital to Scottish land management

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has responded to the latest unverified claims regarding the use of muirburn by land managers. Tim Baynes, Moorland Director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The controlled burning of heather, or Muirburn, is a long-established land management tool that is supported by government...

Tough legislation long overdue to tackle flytipping scourge

Press Release

Tougher penalties for flytipping offenders and increased protection for victims contained in proposed legislation is welcome and long overdue, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation has submitted its consultation response for a proposed Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament brought forward by Scottish...

Scottish stakeholders call on Scottish Government to bring forward payment schedule to recognise cash flow concerns

Press Release

Key organisations committed to the viability of Scottish agriculture and all that it underpins have written to the Scottish Government to express concerns over the impact that the unprecedented cost inflation is having, calling on it to bring forward crucial support payments to ease growing cash flow concerns. The letter to Cabinet...

Houses let via tenanted farms 'require bespoke rural solutions'

Press Release

Regulating houses let as part of agricultural holdings through private rented sector legislation instead could lead to intractable problems for farming businesses, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation held its annual conference in Edinburgh today which a focus on rural Scotland’s housing stock. The Scottish...

Rural solutions needed to solve Scotland’s rural housing crisis

Press Release

Landowners have appealed to help resolve Scotland’s rural housing crisis – and asked government to knock down the barriers that exist in providing new and existing homes. Scottish Land & Estates, which held its annual conference in Edinburgh today, said population decline and government ambition to improve rural housing will not be...

Organisations warn Scotland's private rented sector jeopardised by tenancy reforms

Press Release

Three organisations have written a joint open letter to the Scottish Government warning that the supply of homes for rent – particularly in rural Scotland - may be irreparably damaged by proposed new legislation. Scottish Land & Estates, the Scottish Association of Landlords and NFU Scotland said tenancy proposals contained within the...

Post-Brexit agriculture announcement welcomed

Press Release

The latest update on the shape of post-Brexit subsidy support for Scotland’s agricultural sector is welcome, but further clarity is needed soon from the Scottish Government, says a leading membership organisation for rural businesses. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), whose diverse membership includes farmers, land managers, and rural...

Walk & Talk showcases tourism success of Moray Estate

General News

The success of a Moray estate in diversifying its business despite the challenges of the pandemic has been showcased at a walk and talk event organised by rural business association, Scottish Land & Estates. Duffus Estate, near Elgin, which is managed by owners Ed and Caroline Dunbar, saw plans to invest in its tourism and hospitality...

Aim to Sustain members in united response on transition to non-lead shot

General News

Two years ago in February 2020, nine shooting sector organisations including SLE announced the intention to make a voluntary transition from lead shot to alternatives over a five year timescale. Earlier this month, the RSPB and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) wrote to those organisations, complimenting the sector on its approach but...

Private rental proposals could cut number of homes available for rent

Press Release

The number of properties available for private rent across rural Scotland could face dramatic cuts if Scottish Government plans to reform the sector proceed, a leading rural organisation has warned. According to a recent survey of its members, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), a rural business membership organisation, believes that 20% of...