News

Call to care for the countryside over the Christmas period

Press Release

Festive frosty walks in Scotland’s countryside can be a highlight of Christmas – but with an appeal being made to enjoy our rural areas responsibly and respectfully during this period. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents farmers, land managers and rural businesses, has said the next few weeks should be enjoyable for access...

Urgent rethink required on licensing of short-term lets during Covid recovery

Press Release

Pursuing a new licensing regime for short-term lets in the midst of the pandemic has the potential to cause further serious damage to the rural economy, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation said it was perplexed by the Scottish Government announcement that it was pressing ahead with a licensing regime. Gavin...

SLE statement on Land and Property Taxation report

Press Release

In response to a new report prepared for the Scottish Land Commission on land and property taxation in Scotland, Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We’ll need to reflect on the detail of the report but we continue to urge the Scottish Land Commission to consider taxation in the round, with full...

Proposed Fair Rents Bill could unintentionally create higher rents

Press Release

Tenants could be subjected to higher and more frequent rent rises if the Fair Rents Bill is passed through the Scottish Parliament as planned, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has warned today. In its response to the Call for Evidence on the Bill, which is calling for a rent cap on private rented properties...

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens awarded a £1 million grant from the Scottish Government and EU for an ambitious native woodland creation scheme at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye

General News

After over a year and a half in development, the MacLeod Estate’s new native woodland creation scheme has been awarded a £1million grant from the Scottish Government and EU. The project is being overseen by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, who will plant the scheme on the estate’s behalf by the end of 2021. This native woodland creation scheme is...

SLE statement on grouse moor management

Press Release

Following publication of Scottish Government’s response to Werritty Review of grouse moor management, Scottish Land & Estates has made the following statement. Mark Tennant, chairman, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The people who live and work in rural Scotland and help make grouse shooting a world-class tourism offering have been let...

Scottish rural economy can benefit from spending review announcements

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed funding commitments which can help aid the rural economy in the coming years. Amongst the measures announced in the Spending Review this afternoon, the Chancellor confirmed £1.1 billion to support farmers and land managers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2021-22. A further combined £28...

Rent review code will assist tenant farming sector

Press Release

A new code of practice on conducting rent reviews will encourage productive dialogue between landlords and tenants, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive at Scottish Land & Estates, said: "We welcome publication of the new Code of Practice on Conducting Rent Reviews. It provides practical steps to follow...

Scottish wildlife accreditation to flourish beyond EU exit - Wildlife Estates Scotland celebrates 10 years with 2.5 million acre target for 2023

Press Release

Scottish estates have vowed to continue driving forward an international wildlife and habitat accreditation scheme beyond the UK’s new relationship with Europe. Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), which builds information on species and land use in order to improve Scotland’s biodiversity, is based on a European scheme implemented in 19...

SLE statement on wildlife crime statistics

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement regarding the reported rise in wildlife crime in Scotland since April. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: "A steep rise in any form of wildlife crime is a concern but the data is reflective of the huge 282% increase in fish poaching throughout this...