News

Aid for select few private rental landlords

General News

The Scottish Government has published details of its promised interest-free loan for private landlords. The Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme, a £5 million fund, will offer eligible landlords up to 100% of lost rental income for a single property if their tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the coronavirus...

Scottish Government asked to step in as bin bag of human faeces found among illegally dumped rubbish

Press Release

Flytipping cases continue to surge, with a bin bag of human excrement found among items illegally dumped in the Scottish countryside during lockdown. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation has drawn up a list of the top 10 most random items their members, which include farmers and estate owners, have...

Open letter to Scottish Government on rise in flytipping incidents

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment Climate Change and Land Reform, highlighting the rise in flytipping incidents since lockdown restrictions began and proposing a series of measures to support farmers and landowners who experience flytipping on their property. Letter to Ms...

SLE urges the Scottish Parliament for more ambitious farming policy

Press Release

Now is the time for bold and ambitious leadership to set out a long-term plan for Scottish agriculture that benefits everyone says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. After a delay of several months, the Scottish Parliament yesterday held their Stage 1 debate on the Agriculture...

Flexible planning system required to help communities recover from Covid-19 aftermath

Press Release

Greater flexibility and a rural focus in the planning system is required if rural communities are to thrive in the future as the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic takes it toll, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business group. In their response to the Scottish Government’s call for ideas on the National Planning...

Country Sports Tourism Businesses now eligible for government help after SLE swoops in

Press Release

Scotland’s country sports tourism businesses which have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for grant funding of up to £25,000 after being left out of original Scottish Government funding support. The announcement comes after Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, wrote to both Kate Forbes...

New Chairman for Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Mark Tennant is the new Chairman of Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) the rural business organisation. Mark took over the role from David Johnstone at today’s Annual General Meeting of the organisation. Mark thanked David for all his work on behalf of SLE members and wider rural Scotland during his six years in the role. Mark said “It is with...

Support for country sports tourism businesses – our letter to the Press & Journal

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to the editor of the Press & Journal following publication of an article containing statements portraying an inaccurate picture of the contribution of country sports to Scotland’s economy. Letter: Sir, Businesses involved in Scotland’s country sports tourism sector are vital for the sustainability of...

Open letter to Scottish Government seeking clarification on support for country sports tourism businesses

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, seeking urgent clarification on the eligibility of country sports tourism businesses in the raft of new support funds announced yesterday by the Scottish Government on 21 April 2020. Letter to Ms Hyslop: Dear Cabinet Secretary, I...

Rural group responds to RSPB’s shooting consultation

Press Release

Leading shooting and rural organisations have published a joint letter in response to the RSPB’s consultation on its draft principles for gamebird shooting and associated land management. The organisations (British Association for Shooting & Conservation, Moorland Association, National Gamekeepers' Organisation, Countryside Alliance, CLA...