News

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and success stories from our network.

New Land Reform Bill Is ‘Destructive’ Attack On Land Businesses

14 Mar 2024
Press Release

The new land reform bill introduced by the Scottish Government today is a ‘destructive and disproportionate’ attack on land-based businesses that risks derailing the pursuit of net zero, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation was reacting following publication of a third land reform bill in little over 20...

WES Assembly 2024 examines how to unlock landscape-scale innovation and results through private partnerships

26 Feb 2024
Press Release

The opportunity for partnerships and clusters to drive forward landscape-scale, land manager-led nature restoration has been discussed at the Wildlife Estates Scotland Assembly 2024. Held at Kilgraston, Perthshire, this year’s assembly delved deep into the theme of natural capital, offering insights into WES's efforts to quantify and...

‘Workable’ Grouse Licensing Bill achievable after Stage 2 amendments

22 Feb 2024
Press Release

Further changes to a proposed grouse moor management licensing scheme can help achieve a ‘workable’ grouse system licensing regime – but fears still remain that the scheme will introduce measures that will undermine best working practices. Scottish Land & Estates commented following the completion of Stage 2 of the Bill at the Rural...

SLE welcomes agriculture policy co-design commitment from the First Minister

9 Feb 2024
Press Release

The views of all farmers and land managers in co-designing future agricultural policy must be taken into account for it to be a long-term success, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation commented after several key commitments were made by First Minister Humza Yousaf in a speech at the NFU Scotland conference...

Progress welcomed on trap licensing measures – but acute concerns still remain

7 Feb 2024
Press Release

Pragmatic amendments to the wildlife trap section of the draft Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill have been welcomed by moorland managers – but serious concerns that the legislation will compromise efforts to tackle biodiversity loss still remain. Scottish Land & Estates, which represents rural businesses across Scotland, issued the...

Landowners and anglers key to preserving Scotland’s vital fishing seasons

1 Feb 2024
Press Release

The vital contribution of angling to the environment and conservation, tourism and the economy has been marked as the River Tweed opens for the 2024 season. At an event held at Kelso on Thursday, Scottish Land & Estates chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing represented the rural business organisation as one of the gold sponsors of this year’s...

Patrick Colquhoun appointed as Vice Chair of Scottish Land & Estates

22 Jan 2024
Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Colquhoun as its new Vice Chair (Policy). The rural business organisation, which is headquartered in Musselburgh, has appointed Mr Colquhoun to the role which will see him steer the policy development and political positions of SLE as well as chairing its...

Excessive Government Powers Over Deer Management Risk Damage to Modernisation Proposals

5 Jan 2024
Press Release

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on proposals to update legislation governing deer management in Scotland. The proposals aim to ensure legislation is fit for purpose in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises, alongside a small number of proposals concerned with farmed and kept deer. They are based around...

Better Communication With Farmers Key To Success Of New Agriculture Bill

20 Dec 2023
Press Release

Communicating the benefits of nature and habitat restoration to farming and crofting businesses will be key to the success of the new agriculture legislation, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation today provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee as MSPs examined the...

Scottish Land & Estates statement on Scottish Budget

19 Dec 2023
Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has said the Scottish budget is a ‘mixed bag’ in delivering growth in rural Scotland. The rural business organisation spoke following Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s statement at Holyrood today. Among the measures particularly affecting rural areas: Freezing the poundage on the basic property rates Maintaining...