News

Patrick Colquhoun appointed as Vice Chair of Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Colquhoun as its new Vice Chair (Policy). The rural business organisation, which is headquartered in Musselburgh, has appointed Mr Colquhoun to the role which will see him steer the policy development and political positions of SLE as well as chairing its...

Excessive Government Powers Over Deer Management Risk Damage to Modernisation Proposals

Press Release

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on proposals to update legislation governing deer management in Scotland. The proposals aim to ensure legislation is fit for purpose in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises, alongside a small number of proposals concerned with farmed and kept deer. They are based around...

Better Communication With Farmers Key To Success Of New Agriculture Bill

Press Release

Communicating the benefits of nature and habitat restoration to farming and crofting businesses will be key to the success of the new agriculture legislation, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation today provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee as MSPs examined the...

Scottish Land & Estates statement on Scottish Budget

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has said the Scottish budget is a ‘mixed bag’ in delivering growth in rural Scotland. The rural business organisation spoke following Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s statement at Holyrood today. Among the measures particularly affecting rural areas: Freezing the poundage on the basic property rates Maintaining...

Scottish Land & Estates Responds To Biodiversity Consultation

Press Release

Ahead of next year’s Natural Environment Bill, Scottish Land & Estates were pleased to submit their contribution to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity. The Framework will form the basis of the Bill, which will aim to protect and restore Scotland’s natural environment. SLE are...

New Public Affairs Appointment to Scottish Land & Estates' team

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has appointed a new Press and Public Affairs Manager to strengthen their parliamentary engagement team ahead of a busy year for rural legislation in Holyrood. Cameron Gillies joins the team after serving as Chief of Staff to the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Rachael...

Fragmented land use and ownership risks government ambitions on Net Zero, nature & housing

Press Release

Large-scale land use and ownership in Scotland should be embraced by government if it wants to meet its targets on rural housing, nature and the environment, a new report has found. The report by leading consultancy BiGGAR Economics ‘ Land: the Role of Scale in Delivering a Just Transition’ examines the contribution rural estates make in...

Aim to Sustain game assurance scheme now in place

General News

The Aim to Sustain game assurance scheme is now operational, enabling game farms, game shoots and estates to demonstrate publicly that they operate to the highest standards, having been independently verified by an accredited external auditor. The standards include assessment of animal health and welfare, food quality, environmental...

Deep flaws remain in licensing proposals for grouse shooting

Press Release

Rural businesses continue to hold ‘grave concerns’ regarding the operation of the proposed licensing scheme for grouse shooting, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation made the comments following the Stage 1 debate on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament. SLE said...

Evidence needs to be key element in Scottish land policy

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has said a new rural land market report highlights the need to base policy in evidence rather than ideology. Published by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC), the Rural Land Market Report draws on data from the Registers of Scotland and the wider industry to evaluate the land market...