News

Simple steps can free rural Scotland from livestock attacks this Easter

Press Release

Dog-walkers, land managers and farmers can work together to reduce the risk of attacks on livestock during Easter and beyond. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents rural businesses, said it was crucial to minimise the risk of dog attacks when the lambing season was underway and the countryside was welcoming visitors and walkers...

Rural land market insights report: Scottish Land & Estates statement

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement in response to the Rural Land Market Insights Report published by the Scottish Land Commission. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The report acknowledges that the land market in Scotland is complex and there are multiple reasons for purchasing...

Two new appointees at Wildlife Estates Scotland

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), the internationally recognised accreditation scheme promoting habitat and wildlife management best practice, has made two new appointments to its leadership groups. Deirdre Stewart, Estate Manager at Dalhousie Estates, has been appointed a board member of the WES Advisory Board, which steers the long-term...

SLE statement on wildlife crime report 2019/2020

Press Release

Following the publication of the 2019/2020 annual wildlife crime report today by the Scottish Government, Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We share the Scottish Government’s ambition to address the biodiversity and climate change crisis - and...

2022 ‘Helping it Happen’ rural awards launched

Press Release

Rural people across Scotland and beyond are being urged to share stories of work done by local estates and land-based businesses to help their surrounding communities and landscapes flourish, as nominations for the Helping It Happen Awards 2022 get underway. The Awards, run by Scottish Land & Estates, are now in their sixth year, and once...

Collaboration between communities, landowners and government can deliver on climate change

Press Release

Recognition that there needs to be positive collaboration between landowners, communities and government to achieve action on climate change is welcome, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation has responded to a statement on the Interim Principles for Responsible Investment in Natural Capital by Minister for...

Tougher penalties needed to fight Scotland’s flytipping shame

Press Release

People who illegally dump rubbish, sofas and building materials in Scotland’s beautiful countryside, roadsides and railways need to be hit with higher fines and longer prison sentences to end Scotland’s flytipping shame once and for all. That’s the message from Scottish Land & Estates and Keep Scotland Beautiful today as the Scottish...

Reality of National Planning Framework ‘falls far short of ambition’, says Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Scotland’s new National Planning Framework (NPF4) falls short in meeting its own ambition, says Scottish Land & Estates. The organisation has responded to the Scottish Government’s NPF4 consultation, welcoming the ambition of the proposed updated framework, but highlighting where it falls short in supporting rural interests. The...

SLE supportive of transparency of landownership

Press Release

Transparency of landownership is an important step in the relationship between owners of land and communities, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation, which represents farms and estates across Scotland, said the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest – which will become publicly accessible from...

Flytipping – last chance to tell government your views

General News

The Scottish Government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy consultation closes on Thursday 31 March 2022. We will be submitting a full response to the consultation which is quite detailed and covers 33 key areas. SLE members are strongly encouraged to respond to the consultation directly. There is no need to complete every section...