News

SLE warns General Licence changes risk adding unnecessary burden for rural businesses

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is calling for a consistent and proportionate approach to the review of the general licensing scheme in Scotland to protect food production, public safety and the conservation of vulnerable species. NatureScot is consulting on changes to General Licences, which are granted to...

SLE endorses call for clearer national approach to wildfire safety

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has strongly backed calls from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for greater action to improve wildfire prevention and preparedness across Scotland. In an open letter published following the Glenmore–Strathnethy wildfire , SFRS Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said...

Swift action welcomed following isolated BSE case

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has welcomed the swift response to an isolated case of classical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway. Eleanor Kay, Senior Policy Adviser (Agriculture and Climate Change) at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The confirmation of a case of...

SLE expands policy team with two new appointments

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has strengthened its policy team with two new appointments. Sarah Madden is welcomed back to the organisation as a policy adviser (rural communities) having previously held a similar role with SLE from 2022 to 2024, while Charlotte McAulay joins as a policy assistant. Stephen Young...

Remove barriers to help boost rural economy, Scottish Government urged

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, is calling on the Scottish Government to cut complexity and streamline service delivery to help boost the rural economy. In its responses to the Scottish Government’s consultations on public service reform and future tax and spending plans, SLE recommends a series of measures...

Grouse season under way as ‘major contribution’ hailed by rural communities

Press Release

The major contribution of grouse shooting and moorland management to the economy, jobs, and wildlife conservation has been recognised by rural communities, as the season got underway today in the Angus Glens. The Glorious 12th marks the start of the grouse shooting season, which boosts the economy by £32m each year , part of the £155m...

Rural Scotland’s unsung heroes revealed as Helping It Happen awards finalists

Press Release

Rural Scotland’s brightest individuals, businesses and community organisations are in the spotlight once again after being named as finalists in the Helping It Happen Awards 2026. Organised by Scottish Land & Estates and supported by headline sponsor NatureScot, the awards celebrate the innovation, determination and community spirit...

Cairngorms wildfire fund welcomed as call grows for action on future fire risk

Press Release

Rural businesses have welcomed the announcement of a new £3 million fund to support those affected by the Cairngorms wildfire. Announced by the Scottish Government , the fund will be administered by The Highland Council and will help businesses manage the immediate financial impact of the wildfire, maintain continuity and support their...

Angus Glens estates deliver £6.6m boost for rural economy, new report finds

Press Release

Seven estates in the Angus Glens contributed £6.6m to the economy last year while supporting hundreds of rural jobs, local businesses and biodiversity work, according to a new report published today by the Angus Glens Moorland Group and Scottish Land & Estates. The report sets out, for the first time, a comprehensive evaluation of the...

New Wildfire Partnership Urged After Green Cleugh Blaze Threatened Pentland Hills

Press Release

A formal wildfire partnership should be established across the Pentland Hills following a blaze that could have escalated from 17 hectares to a landscape-scale incident affecting more than 6,000 hectares, a new report has recommended. The Green Cleugh Wildfire Debrief Report examines the response to the fire at Eastside Farm in the...