News

Scottish landholdings determined to lead in European Wildlife Accreditation scheme

Press Release

Scotland’s farms and estates are intent on tackling the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, a European-wide congress is to be told today (Thursday). Wildlife Estates, a best practice land management accreditation scheme across 19 European countries, today (Thursday 9 September) held its virtual annual gathering across...

SLE's comment on Programme for Government announcement

Press Release

Commenting on today’s Programme for Government, Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates said: “Scotland’s land-based businesses already play a vital role in combating climate change, so we fully support the Scottish Government’s focus on tackling the twin emergencies of climate change and biodiversity. We welcome much...

Scottish Land & Estates Welcomes Announcement of Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board

General News

Following the important work of the Farmer-led Groups, Scottish Land and Estates welcomes Wednesday’s announcement by Scottish Government creating the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB). The ARIOB will be co-chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon, and Martin Kennedy, NFU Scotland...

Short-term lets licensing scheme temporarily delayed due to over 1000 consultation responses

General News

SLE has recently received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison, setting out the Scottish Government’s next steps for its short-term licensing scheme proposals. We have included a copy of the letter here. The Cabinet Secretary advised that the Scottish Government plans to delay...

Pioneering conservation charity releases record number of golden eagles in the south of Scotland

Press Release

As part of a series of groundbreaking translocations addressing low numbers of golden eagles in the south of Scotland, the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, which Scottish Land & Estates is a partner of, has recently successfully transported eight golden eagle chicks from the Scottish Highlands to a secret location in the southern...

PLMA to become voting member of Pentland Hills Regional Park Joint Committee

General News

We are delighted to hear that Pentlands Land Managers Association (PLMA), an SLE member, is to become a voting member of Pentland Hills Regional Park Joint Committee. PLMA was officially formed in November 2020 and its founding members represent over 75% of the Regional Park land area. Having a seat at the table will now enable PLMA to...

Dumfries & Galloway businesses come together to learn more on Business innovation and Climate Change

Press Release

Over 30 farmers, land managers and business owners from across Dumfries & Galloway came together on 19 August to hear more on sustainable eco innovation. Organised by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation, the group met in person for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Anaerobic Digestion plant at...

Opportunities for all to help Scotland's covid recovery and to tackle climate change

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has responded to a call from Community Land Scotland for new land reform measures to tackle recovery from the pandemic and address climate change. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: "Demands for a further tranche of land reform legislation demonstrate greater concern about ownership...

SLE statement on SNP/Greens Co-operation

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents rural businesses across Scotland, has issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a new SNP-Scottish Green Party coalition. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “For some time there has been significant concern amongst rural communities and...

Response to raptor fatalities should not depend on location or land use

General News

Reports of five eagles being found dead on the Western Isles are very serious. Police Scotland has said that officers are investigating and it is to be hoped that the facts of these potentially shocking incidents are established as quickly as possible. The birds – four golden eagles and a white-tailed sea eagle – were found at separate...