New figures on livestock worrying in Scotland show a decline in recorded incidents last year but rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) warns the number is still too high, notably in Spring, when lambs and calves are in the field. According to data from Police Scotland’s National Rural, Acquisitive and Business...
Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has appointed Sara Ward and Neil Johnstone to support its growing range of services to members. Sara Ward has been appointed as events and membership services co-ordinator while Neil Johnstone joins SLE as digital and marketing officer. Stephen Young, director of policy for SLE...
New £10,000 ‘Rural Champion’ prize launched in biggest year yet Scotland’s rural heroes are being called into the spotlight as nominations open for the 2026 Helping It Happen Awards – with a brand new £10,000 prize up for grabs in the awards’ milestone 10th year. Organised by Scottish Land & Estates, the awards have spent the past decade...
Scotland’s approach to conservation is a model for other nations to follow, delegates were told at the Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) Assembly at Hopetoun House this week. Land managers from across the UK and Europe joined conservationists, agricultural consultancies and rural business leaders to share best practice, evaluate the risks...
Driving growth, investment and opportunity in Scotland’s rural economy took centre stage as senior political figures from across the spectrum came head-to-head at a major pre-election debate hosted by Scottish Land & Estates. The Rural Debate, held at The Pavilion at Ingliston in front of an audience of 75 rural business leaders and...
The introduction of a new seasonal byelaw in the Cairngorms National Park banning barbeques and campfires is a vital step in protecting communities, wildlife and rural businesses from the increasing threat of wildfires. Scottish Land & Estates has given its support to the byelaw which will come into effect tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1)...
The new Rural Support Plan has been welcomed as a constructive starting point for the next phase of agricultural reform - but future Scottish Ministers have been urged to build on it with stronger investment and clearer communication to give rural businesses confidence to plan for the future. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business...
Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has cautiously welcomed the approval of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish parliament yesterday (24 March). The Bill seeks to simplify and streamline crofting legislation, as well as introducing an expanded Scottish Land Court, taking on the...
Farms and land-based businesses face higher rates bills as a result of the Scottish Government’s decision to press ahead with plans to remove sporting rates reliefs without consulting the sector. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after an evidence session by the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government...
Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s strategic action plan for wildfire, published today. SLE, a member of the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Oversight Group for Wildfires as well as the Scottish Wildfire Forum, described the plan as the culmination of productive engagement...
