News

Scottish business community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in Covid-19 response

Press Release

Scotland’s leading business organisations have issued a joint-statement in response to the private sector’s role in tackling the Covid-19 crisis. The statement reads as follows: “As thirteen of Scotland’s leading business organisations, we speak as one in restating that protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Scottish citizens remains...

Coronavirus: Emergency business loan scheme revamped after criticism

General News

There has been widespread concern, acknowledged by the government, that some of the emergency measures to provide financial assistance to businesses are not working, with fewer that 1,000 loans being approved out of 130,000 enquiries. In response to the criticisms over the scheme the UK Government have announced that the emergency loans...

Kinross-shire Estate Maintains its Prestigious Conservation Accreditation

Press Release

A mixed agricultural, forestry and sporting estate in Kinross-shire, has been successfully re-assessed for a prestigious accreditation which recognises landowners who are committed to best practice in conservation, habitat and wildlife management. At 258 acres, Balruddrie Estate, a 2018 winner of a Purdey Award for their conservation...

Tenant Farming Commissioner and industry bodies advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19) on-site meetings

General News

The Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC), in association with industry bodies NFUS (National Farmers Union, Scotland) and SLE (Scottish Land & Estates), on 30 March issued advice about the implications of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation for on-farm meetings. Coronavirus is making everyone reconsider activity and the farming community is...

Open letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance regarding support for rural businesses

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to Kate Forbes MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, to express concerns regarding gaps in the support for rural businesses who are negatively impacted by the current pandemic. Letter to the Cabinet Secretary: Dear Cabinet Secretary, I am writing to you as a matter of urgency regarding the impact of the...

Delaying energy efficiency regulations the ‘right decision’

Press Release

The Scottish Government has announced that they have taken the decision not to introduce the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which had been due to come into force on 1 April 2020. SLE wrote an open letter to Kevin Stewart, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Local Government, Housing...

Public urged not to ride or hill walk in countryside

Press Release

People are being urged not to horse ride, mountain bike or hill walk in the countryside to avoid putting extra pressure on the emergency services. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has issued the plea after its members have reported having to help people who are injured, often in remote areas, at a time when people...

Open Letter to Minister for Housing on impacts of COVID-19 on rural housing

General News

Scottish Land & Estates has written to Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, to express concerns regarding the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on landlords ability to fully prepare for the introduction of the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020. Letter to Mr...

Flexibility in coronavirus job retention scheme needed for rural Scotland

Press Release

Limitations in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme are one of the chief concerns of rural companies during the COVID-19 crisis, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation has conducted a survey of members across Scotland to find out what proactive measures are being put in place by companies - and what issues...

Land managers urged to stop muirburn during Covid-19 pandemic

Press Release

Moorland managers and others are being urged by Scottish Land & Estates not to undertake muirburn (controlled burning of heather) during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help ensure there is no chance for any additional strain on public services. The fortnight before the end of the main muirburn season on 15 April is usually a very busy time for...