News

Rural Scotland bounces back as the grouse season starts - A boost for business and biodiversity

Press Release

Rural businesses today welcomed The Glorious Twelfth – the start of the grouse shooting season – and predicted a much-needed return of international visitors following the impact over two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the first enthusiasts to take to the heather-clad moors were a shooting party on See Far Hill at Forneth Farm in...

Shortlist announced for prestigious rural awards

Press Release

The Helping it Happen Awards 2022, run by Scottish Land & Estates, have announced the finalists within five of their nine categories today. Each of the categories focuses on an area in which rural businesses are positively impacting Scotland’s economy and environment. The overall focus of the Helping it Happen Awards is on recognising the...

SLE's comment on carbon capture projects

General News

Responding to media requests for comment on the role of carbon credits, Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing said: “Helping to tackle climate change is a key priority for all those involved in land use and management. In Scotland, the outlook is hugely encouraging given our natural resources and existing and new landowners of all types...

Controlled burning vital in Scotland’s fight against wildfires

Press Release

Greater recognition is required for the crucial role preventative burning can play in limiting the risk of wildfires in Scotland, land managers said today. With the United Kingdom recording its hottest ever temperatures this week, wildfires wreaked havoc for fire crews in both rural and urban areas, with 440 wildfires reported across the...

New moorland director appointed at Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents land businesses across Scotland, today announced the appointment of Ross Ewing as Moorland Director. Ross will start his new role on July 11 and will take the lead in all moorland and game shooting related activity within the organisation. Ross is a former public affairs manager in Scotland for...

Land-based businesses response to new land reform proposals

Press Release

Following the launch today by the Scottish Government of a public consultation on new proposals to be included in a forthcoming Land Reform Bill, Scottish Land & Estates, the organisation which represents land-based businesses across rural Scotland, issued the following statement. Stephen Young, Head of Policy, Scottish Land & Estates...

Seven Scottish landholdings gain prestigious wildlife conservation accreditation

Press Release

Seven Scottish farms and estates – accounting for nearly 170,000 acres - have been awarded prestigious international accreditation to recognise their ongoing work in wildlife management and conservation. The award of Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation was made at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, with Màiri McAllan MSP, Scottish...

Private rented sector reforms a ‘lose-lose’ for tenants and landlords

General News

Both tenants and landlords will lose out through the Scottish Government's ill-advised tenancy reforms, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Passed at Holyrood last night, part four of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill removes the mandatory grounds to remove a tenant and reclaim vacant possession, such as non-payment of...

Provision of rented homes could be decimated by Holyrood legislation

Press Release

Housing organisations have today made an 11th hour appeal to Scottish parliamentarians to step back from making new laws that threaten to devastate the number of homes for rent. The Scottish Parliament is to debate the final stage of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Bill on June 28 which includes plans to give tribunals the final say...

Food production, climate change and biodiversity ‘vital’ in Scotland’s future agricultural support regime

Press Release

Fifty per cent of future farming subsidies should be ‘unconditional’ in order to maintain food security and thriving production in Scotland. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, today published an update to its #Route2050 ‘On Track for Rural Scotland’ strategy at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. The document...