News

Fresh debate on farming and land management support a welcome step forward

Press Release

Designing new support structures to enable a bright future for Scottish farming and land management are an immediate priority, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said today. The rural business organisation has welcomed today’s debate at Holyrood, led by the Scottish Conservatives, on future agriculture policy. Scottish Land & Estates...

SLE Appoints New Highland Regional Support Officer

Press Release

A new regional support officer has been appointed by Scottish Land & Estates to support and promote rural businesses in the Highlands. Megan Rowland has joined SLE with a wealth of knowledge and experience to utilise, including her ongoing work as a land manager on an estate in Sutherland. In 2018, Megan was the recipient of the Lantra...

Business Rates for small-scale hydro – An update on the legal challenge

General News

For the last five years, Alba Energy has been in a protracted dispute with the Tayside Assessor, in order to challenge the Rateable Values (RVs) ascribed to small hydro sites in Scotland. Alba and the BHA consider these valuations – from which business rates are calculated – to have been inappropriately high in the 2010 valuation roll and...

Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new project officer

Press Release

A new project officer has been appointed by Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) as the land management scheme aims to double its accredited acres. Caroline Pringle, an experienced environmental consultant, joins WES following five years at ITPEnergised, where she managed environmental impact assessments and due diligence projects for clients...

Housing Walk & Talk at Dunninald Estate

General News

On Tuesday, 26 February, 25 SLE Members and guests met at Dunninald Estate, near Montrose to learn of the importance of master planning when it comes to the development of a redundant B Listed steading block. Hosted by Mary Stansfeld (Dunninald Estate) and led by Paul Fretwell (@rchitects Scotland) attendees came together to see for...

SLE responds to Balmoral sporting rates appeal

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has responded to coverage by The National regarding the Balmoral and Buccleuch sporting rates appeal. You can find a statement from Head of Policy, Katy Dickson below, along with a letter sent to The National by SLE Chairman, David Johnstone. Katy Dickson, Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Rates...

Duke of Buccleuch steps down as Buccleuch chairman as group announces leadership changes

General News

Buccleuch announced today key changes to the group’s leadership and management. The Duke of Buccleuch has announced he is to step down as chairman of the group at the beginning of March shortly after his 65th birthday. He will be succeeded as executive chairman by Benny Higgins, former chief executive officer of Tesco Bank, who has been a...

SLE and farming stakeholders brief MSPs on Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments

General News

The importance of Less Favoured Area (LFA) support for rural communities has been highlighted by a briefing issued to MSPs by farming organisations this week. Scottish Land & Estates - alongside NFU Scotland, the Scottish Beef Association, National Sheep Association Scotland, the Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association and the Scottish...

Scottish Land & Estates welcomes new tool for community engagement

Press Release

A new guide aimed at improving links between land managers and communities has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates. The community engagement protocol, the first of its kind to be published by the Scottish Land Commission , is intended to support greater collaboration and engagement between those who make decisions about land and...

SLE provides evidence to Scottish Affairs Committee on the future of Scottish Agriculture

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates today provided evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee on the future of agriculture in Scotland. The session at SRUC’s Oatridge Campus, attended by academics and stakeholders from the farming sector, allowed MPs the chance to gather views on post-Brexit agricultural policy following written submissions entered...