News

SLE committed to working with partners following new protected status for beavers

Press Release

Beavers in Scotland will formally obtain European Protected Species status tomorrow (Wednesday 1 May). The status is introduced simultaneously with a new management framework which is designed to manage the issues that beavers can cause for farmers and land managers. Karen Ramoo, Policy Adviser (Access, Conservation & Wildlife Management)...

Benefits of moorland management

Press Release

With moorland management under ever more scrutiny, Tim Baynes Scottish Land and Estates Moorland Group Director, has reiterated the immense value of existing moorland management practices in an open letter to The National. You can read the full letter below. Benefits of moorland management Sustainable economic growth is on the agenda for...

Innovation required to maximise benefits from Scotland's land

Press Release

Mairi Gougeon MSP to provide keynote speech at SLE Conference Land-based businesses must be ready and equipped to deal with substantial social, economic and environmental change over the next decade, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Ahead of the rural business organisation’s annual conference - to be held in Edinburgh on May 15 - SLE...

Bag the Big Houses in the Scottish Borders

General News

To mark the release of a new updated illustrative map of the Big Houses in the Scottish Borders, a new ‘Bag the Big Houses’ scheme is being launched for visitors. The Big Houses in the Scottish Borders Group, which is made up of 11 of the region’s greatest historic homes and castles, is launching this scheme to encourage visitors to enjoy...

Research indicates benefits to mountain hares from grouse moor management

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates welcomes new evidence A study by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research has found that moorland managed for driven grouse is likely to provide an overall conservation benefit for mountain hares in Scotland. The research looked at mountain hare...

Scottish Land & Estates boosts HQ team with new property and business policy officer

Press Release

SLE has appointed a new adviser to its policy team to further enhance services to members and engagement with government and stakeholders. Marcelina Hamilton has this week joined Scottish Land & Estates’ Musselburgh HQ to work on property and business issues such as housing, energy efficiency, rates and wayleaves. Following time spent in...

SLE supports Borders tenancy agreement

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the agreement that will enable a Borders farm tenant to remain on a farm he has rented from Buccleuch Estates. The Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh, announced that he had been approached by Buccleuch in an effort to find a solution and that discussions he held with Buccleuch, the tenant, Mr...

2019 'Helping It Happen' Awards open for entries

Press Release

People across rural Scotland are being urged to share their stories of the work done by local estates, farms and land-based businesses to help their surrounding communities flourish, as nominations for the 2019 Helping It Happen Awards get underway. Following two successful years, organiser Scottish Land & Estates has declared the Helping...

SLE statement on latest EU withdrawal vote

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement after today’s vote at Westminster on the EU Withdrawal Bill. Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Scottish rural business has much in common with the rest of the country in wanting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the Brexit process....

Collaborative and constructive solutions required to deliver for rural communities

Press Release

Modern and innovative policymaking on the use of land is required to help rural communities meet the challenges they face, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Speaking following a debate in the Scottish Parliament today, Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Landowners and rural businesses – who make a...