News

Scottish rural policy takes centre stage at SLE’s Land Managers' Training Day

Press Release

Scottish rural policy, agricultural support, housing, renewable energy, and community engagement were among the key topics explored at Scottish Land & Estates’ (SLE) highly successful Land Managers’ Training Day. Held at Perth Racecourse, the annual event—sponsored by Savills and Brodies LLP—brought together landowners, estate managers...

Scottish Land & Estates calls for government to protect farming businesses amid potential UK-US trade war

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has today urged the UK Government to ensure that any response to a potential trade war with the US does not put Scotland’s farming businesses and rural economy at risk. The warning follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s comments in Paris yesterday, vowing that he would ‘keep all options on the table’ in...

Statement on Scottish Government Response to NZET Committee Land Reform Bill Report

Press Release

The Scottish Government is failing to act decisively on key flaws in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill which is being debated in the Scottish Parliament. Following publication of a key government report on the Bill today, Scottish Land & Estates said that the Scottish Government had ‘dodged’ fundamental problems with the Bill and were...

Land reform bill report is a flashing red light to Ministers

Press Release

A new parliamentary report criticising the land reform bill underlines the need for fundamental changes to the draft legislation, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said today. The rural business organisation commented after the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport (NZET) Committee said that Part 1 of the Bill in particular “...

SLE supports new bill aiming to secure fair deal for farmers

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has welcomed a new Bill proposed by Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, designed to ensure fairer returns for farmers in Scotland and across the UK within the food supply chain. The Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) Bill, known as the Food...

Unworkable Land Reform Bill Will Inflict 'Wanton Damage' On Rural Scotland Unless Changes Are Made

Press Release

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will inflict ‘an era of wanton damage’ on rural Scotland unless the Scottish Government accepts that key changes should be made to the proposed legislation. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, said today the Bill as it stands is unworkable and jeopardises the ability of estate...

Next generation of rural workers honoured at the ALBAS awards 2025

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has congratulated the winners of Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS Awards 2025, which recognise talented young people starting their careers in the rural sector. Scottish Land & Estates sponsors the Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year award, won this year by Murray Henderson, with Fenna Whittaker taking the runner-up...

Scottish Land & Estates Supports Appeal for Information Following Red Kite Death In Aberdeenshire

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates today supported a police appeal for information following the death of a red kite in Aberdeenshire. The bird of prey was initially found by a member of the public in the Glenbuchat area of Strathdon and was recovered before further investigations found that the bird had been shot. It is believed the bird was shot...

Scottish Land & Estates welcomes reduction in wildlife crime in Scotland

Press Release

A significant decrease in wildlife crime offences in Scotland has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). The rural business organisation reacted to the publication of the Scottish Government’s Wildlife Crime in Scotland Report 2022-23, which shows a 23% reduction in overall wildlife crime offences compared to the previous year...

Rural Businesses 'Disillusioned' As Scottish Budget Leaves Them Out In The Cold

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has shared its disappointment at the Scottish Budget, passed today in Holyrood, saying that rural voices have been ignored Rural affairs is the only government department facing a real terms cut, despite the major contribution of rural businesses to the Scottish exchequer and...