News

SLE statement on Peregrine Falcon death near Edinburgh

Press Release

Following a Police Scotland appeal issued today in relation to a Peregrine Falcon found dead in a trap near Balerno, Edinburgh, Scottish Land & Estates has issued this statement. Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said: ”We support the police appeal for information over this disturbing and perplexing case....

Scottish Land & Estates statement on Golden Eagle disappearance

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has echoed an appeal for information following the disappearance of a golden eagle in the Scottish Borders. Merrick, a female golden eagle translocated by the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, went missing on October 18, 2023. The bird had been translocated in 2022 from...

Housing Minister Visits Award-Winning Rural Homes Development In Scottish Borders

Press Release

Opportunities to increase the supply of new housing in rural Scotland have been discussed during a visit to a pioneering development in the Scottish Borders by Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP. Hirsel Estate, which is part of Douglas & Angus Estates and is located at Coldstream on the north side of River Tweed, has been undertaking...

Rural Scotland ignored as government confirms ban on Humane Cable Restraints

Press Release

The Scottish Government has said it is to press ahead with a ban on humane cable restraints – a move described as a ‘dark day for biodiversity, wildlife and rural livelihoods’. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has written an open letter to Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Energy and the Environment, after she...

Vital contributions of Scotland’s rural estates recognised in Holyrood debate

Press Release

The role of Scotland’s rural estates in driving local economic development, supporting the transition to net zero and providing homes and supporting community resilience has been recognised at Holyrood. In a debate led on Tuesday evening (November 7, 2023) by Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries and...

Deputy First Minister visits Angus Estate

Press Release

DEPUTY First Minster Shona Robison today (Monday 6 November) visited an upland estate in the Angus Glens to see how Scotland’s rural estates are delivering benefits for people, jobs and nature. During her visit to Rottal Estate in the Angus Glens, owned and managed by Dee Ward, the Deputy First Minister heard about the contribution of...

35 Business bodies unite to call for rates freeze

Press Release

Thirty-five leading business representative groups and industry bodies including SLE have jointly written to the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary asking her to freeze the business rate in the coming financial year. The thirty-five organisations represent a broad cross section of Scottish industry and...

Housing crisis issues still must be tackled following court decision

Press Release

Urgent action should be taken by the Scottish Government to address fundamental problems in the housing sector, despite a ruling a court ruling today on rent freezes and eviction bans. Landlords expressed ‘disappointment and frustration’ following Lord Harrower’s judgment in the Court of Session which ruled against a judicial review of...

Management Of Game Assurance Scheme Transferring From BGA To Aim To Sustain

Press Release

The infrastructure of the assurance scheme built by British Game Assurance (BGA) will be transferred to Aim to Sustain (A2S), it was announced today (Monday, October 16th). The Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme will allow Scottish and UK game farms, game shoots and estates to demonstrate publicly that they operate to the highest...

Vital contribution of Scotland’s rural businesses recognised at Helping it Happen Awards 2023

Press Release

Eleven businesses, community partnerships and individuals from across rural Scotland have triumphed at the national Helping it Happen awards, recognising their outstanding work supporting the economy, jobs and education, wildlife and the environment. Winners include Arbikie Highland Estate who scooped the Innovation in Farming Award...