News

Scottish Land & Estates responds to Programme For Government

Press Release

The Scottish Government’s new Programme for Government includes encouraging commitments for rural areas, according to Scottish Land & Estates — though the organisation has said a stronger, more consistent focus on rural Scotland is still needed. Following First Minister John Swinney’s address to the Scottish Parliament, SLE acknowledged...

Scottish Land & Estates supports police appeal following poisoning of birds of prey in Castle Douglas

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has today backed a Police Scotland appeal for information after two red kites were confirmed to have been poisoned near Castle Douglas. The first red kite was discovered alongside a wood pigeon—used as poisoned bait—on Castle Douglas Golf Course on Thursday, 10 April 2025. A second red kite was found dead nearby...

SLE urges clarity on new deer management proposals amid concerns over NatureScot’s expanded powers

Press Release

Serious concerns have been raised about new legislative proposals that would expand NatureScot’s statutory powers to intervene in deer management. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, was speaking after providing evidence on the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and...

Members' Charter sets out vision for land businesses supporting people, nature and rural prosperity

Press Release

An updated charter setting out the principles and responsibilities of how rural estates, landowners and land managers operate has been launched by Scottish Land & Estates. The SLE Members’ Charter, formally adopted at SLE’s Annual General Meeting in Falkirk, builds upon the Landowners’ Commitment established over a decade ago. Reflecting...

Risk of Lyme disease increasing, warns Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is warning of a heightened risk of Lyme disease due to the increasing number of ticks in the countryside. In summer 2023 the number of Lyme disease cases reported in the UK increased by a third compared with the preceding year. Members of the public are warned to check themselves...

Rural organisations sound alarm over muirburn licensing rollout and wildfire risk

Press Release

Leading rural organisations are urging the Scottish Government to adopt a pragmatic approach to the introduction of muirburn licensing — or risk exacerbating the growing threat of wildfires across Scotland. With the muirburn season closing earlier this week (April 15) [1], Scottish Land & Estates, NFU Scotland and the Scottish Gamekeepers...

Public urged to be vigilant as wildfire danger continues across Scotland

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is urging the public to remain vigilant to wildfire following the publication of the latest wildfire danger rating assessment. The assessment classifies the wildfire danger as ‘very high’ across all areas of Scotland on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th April, and ‘extreme’ in...

SLE welcomes new approach to Heat in Buildings Bill - but urgent clarity needed for rented sector

Press Release

Changes to the Heat in Buildings Bill announced today by the Scottish Government have been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates. The rural organisation said the new approach, announced at Holyrood by Acting Minister for Climate Action Dr Alasdair Allan, showed increased recognition of the unique challenges faced by rural and island...

Farms & estates affirm their commitment to achieving Scotland’s 30x30 nature target

Press Release

Landowners stand ready and willing to help Scotland deliver a commitment to protect 30% of the land and seas for nature by 2030 – but further detail will be required on the tools proposed by government to meet this ambitious goal. Enhancing biodiversity, conservation and habitat restoration was the central focus of the 2025 WES Annual...

New appointments to Scottish Land & Estates’ regional network

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is making two new appointments to boost its regional network. Elizabeth Steuart Fothringham has been appointed as the new chair of the Central region committee, succeeding Antony Gifford, while Dr Gordon Drummond joins as the new North East chair, following on from David Fyffe, who...