News

SLE urges UK Government to support rural communities in upcoming Budget

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has said the upcoming UK Budget presents the opportunity for significant fiscal reforms to support Scotland's rural communities, tackle climate change, and ensure the sustainable future of the rural economy. In a pre-budget submission, SLE outlines critical areas requiring...

SLE expresses disappointment at closure of Rural Housing Scotland

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is deeply saddened to learn of the closure of Rural Housing Scotland (RHS), which has served rural communities for over two decades. The charity announced its closure on Tuesday due to severe funding difficulties. Since it was established in 2001, the organisation has made a significant and sustained...

Appeal For Information Following Peregrine Falcon Death In Angus

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates today supported a police appeal for information following the death of a peregrine falcon in Angus. The injured bird was found in distress in Glen Esk on September, 3, and the Scottish SPCA was called to attend. The falcon was later euthanised and following further investigations, the bird was found to have been...

Rural champions shine as Helping It Happen Awards celebrate Scotland’s unsung heroes

Press Release

Eleven outstanding businesses, innovative partnerships, and visionary individuals from across rural Scotland have been honoured at the national Helping it Happen 2024 awards. The glittering ceremony, held in Edinburgh on Wednesday (October 2) evening and organised by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), recognised exceptional contributions to...

Drew McFarlane-Slack MBE Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates celebrates the immense contribution of Drew McFarlane-Slack at the Helping it Happen Awards 2024 Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is delighted to announce that Drew McFarlane-Slack MBE has been awarded the prestigious Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland as part of the annual Helping it Happen Awards...

Rural businesses voice opposition to ‘unsound’ Galloway National Park proposals

Press Release

Proposals for a new national park in Galloway fail to explain the tangible benefits it would bring to the region, businesses and communities, a rural business organisation said today. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said it would not support plans for the new national park following a survey of its members. Of the SLE members surveyed...

Rural voice vital as Scottish Government plans changes to rented sector and heating standards

Press Release

The needs of rural Scotland must be placed front and centre by the Scottish Government as it seeks change to Scotland’s private rented sector and building heating standards. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, reacted following the Programme for Government statement by the First Minister at Holyrood today. As well as...

Costly legislation highlighted by land reform spending cut

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has questioned the need for further land reform after it emerged the Scottish Government has been forced to implement a £500,000 cut in spending on the policy. SLE said millions had already been spent on land reform in recent decades despite it not being a priority for the public –...

SLE urges Scottish government to reconsider nature restoration fund cuts

Press Release

The Scottish Government’s cuts to the Nature Restoration Fund not only harms progress on restoring biodiversity but also risks environmental investment and jobs, SLE said today. The rural business organisation has written to Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes MSP, urging the government to urgently reconsider its decision to cut £5 million...

Conservation & rural bodies unite to call for urgent review of mobile network rollout scheme

Press Release

The rollout of mobile network infrastructure to Scotland’s most remote hills and glens should be reviewed urgently by the new UK Government, a coalition of rural, wildlife and conservation bodies has said. The organisations have written a joint letter to Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Digital and Data Infrastructure, asking...