News

Gamekeepers praised for frontline wildfire efforts in Speyside and Moray as call made for more skilled volunteers

Press Release

Gamekeepers and land managers have been praised for their critical efforts in battling a major wildfire across Speyside and Moray - as a call is made for more skilled volunteers to help contain the ongoing blaze. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has commended the bravery, skill and expertise of nearly 100...

New polling reveals healthcare, infrastructure and employment are top of mind for rural Scotland

Press Release

New research commissioned by rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has revealed that the Scottish public see access to healthcare, improving infrastructure and supporting employment opportunities as the top priorities for rural Scotland. The independent poll, conducted by the Diffley Partnership in April 2025, surveyed...

Minister gains insight into challenges of lowland deer management during stalking visit

Press Release

The practical realities of managing Scotland’s lowland deer population have been demonstrated to the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, during a deer stalking visit to Drumchork Holding in Perthshire. The visit, organised by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) on Monday evening (June 23), comes as the Scottish...

Land-based businesses set out new vision for the future

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, today unveiled its latest vision for the future of land use and management. Route2050 – Land and Estates for the Future was launched at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston with the support of Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon MSP. Speaking at the launch of the report, Sarah...

SLE responds to Scottish Land Commission's 2025 Land Market Report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has issued the following response to the Scottish Land Commission’s Rural Land Market Insights Report 2025 , which explores trends in land sales across Scotland. Stephen Young, Director of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “This latest report provides a useful snapshot of...

SLE welcomes delay to muirburn licensing implementation

Press Release

A decision to postpone the introduction of muirburn licensing has been welcomed as a ‘pragmatic and necessary step’. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after the Scottish Government confirmed that it would delay the start date for licensing until January, 1, 2026 – just over three months later than the...

Land Reform Bill: Lotting plans ‘a recipe for chaos across the countryside'

Press Release

Land businesses call on Ministers to listen to fears and accept changes. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, today called on Ministers to rethink land sales proposals in the new Land Reform (Scotland) Bill that will cause ‘chaos in the countryside’. As the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport...

Clarity on Enhanced Greening requirements for farmers welcomed by SLE

Press Release

Clarity provided to farmers following the Scottish Government’s confirmation of new Enhanced Greening rules, set to take effect from 2026 as part of its Agricultural Reform Programme, has been welcomed by rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). The Enhanced Greening payment, which will supplement the Basic Payment...

Scottish Land & Estates supports balanced approach to common grazings in Crofting Bill

Press Release

The new Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill provides a good opportunity for stronger regulation of crofts and a fairer balance of rights and responsibilities in the use of common grazings. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, was speaking following the publication of the Bill on June 3. The Bill includes measures to...

Rural business organisation hails inclusion of rural impact assessments in new legislation

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed the passing of amendments to ensure the needs of rural and island communities are considered as the Housing (Scotland) Bill enters its final stage. Over 600 amendments to the Bill were proposed by a wide range of different groups, indicative of the scale of concern...