Driving growth, investment and opportunity in Scotland’s rural economy took centre stage as senior political figures from across the spectrum came head-to-head at a major pre-election debate hosted by Scottish Land & Estates. The Rural Debate, held at The Pavilion at Ingliston in front of an audience of 75 rural business leaders and...
The introduction of a new seasonal byelaw in the Cairngorms National Park banning barbeques and campfires is a vital step in protecting communities, wildlife and rural businesses from the increasing threat of wildfires. Scottish Land & Estates has given its support to the byelaw which will come into effect tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1)...
The new Rural Support Plan has been welcomed as a constructive starting point for the next phase of agricultural reform - but future Scottish Ministers have been urged to build on it with stronger investment and clearer communication to give rural businesses confidence to plan for the future. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business...
Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has cautiously welcomed the approval of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish parliament yesterday (24 March). The Bill seeks to simplify and streamline crofting legislation, as well as introducing an expanded Scottish Land Court, taking on the...
Farms and land-based businesses face higher rates bills as a result of the Scottish Government’s decision to press ahead with plans to remove sporting rates reliefs without consulting the sector. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after an evidence session by the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government...
Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s strategic action plan for wildfire, published today. SLE, a member of the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Oversight Group for Wildfires as well as the Scottish Wildfire Forum, described the plan as the culmination of productive engagement...
A Sutherland estate which has been awarded prestigious international accreditation for its conservation work has told a cross-party group of MSPs about how such work could help meet Scotland’s nature restoration and climate action goals. Grosvenor’s Reay Forest Estate in Sutherland not only secured the coveted Wildlife Estates Scotland...
A rethink on sporting rates applied to deer management has been welcomed by rural businesses – with a caution that more needs to be done on exemptions for game management. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after the Scottish Government announced a series of targeted exemptions relating to sporting rates...
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed key amendments made to the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill during its passage - while cautioning that the long-term success of the legislation will depend on maintaining Scotland’s proven, collaborative approach to land and deer management. The rural business organisation commented after the...
The creation of a new Scottish national housing agency has the potential to be a positive step towards increasing the supply of much-needed homes across rural Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates said today. First Minister John Swinney announced that the new executive agency, to be known as More Homes Scotland, will begin operating from 2027...
