News

Two new appointees at Wildlife Estates Scotland

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), the internationally recognised accreditation scheme promoting habitat and wildlife management best practice, has made two new appointments to its leadership groups. Deirdre Stewart, Estate Manager at Dalhousie Estates, has been appointed a board member of the WES Advisory Board, which steers the long-term...

SLE statement on wildlife crime report 2019/2020

Press Release

Following the publication of the 2019/2020 annual wildlife crime report today by the Scottish Government, Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We share the Scottish Government’s ambition to address the biodiversity and climate change crisis - and...

2022 ‘Helping it Happen’ rural awards launched

Press Release

Rural people across Scotland and beyond are being urged to share stories of work done by local estates and land-based businesses to help their surrounding communities and landscapes flourish, as nominations for the Helping It Happen Awards 2022 get underway. The Awards, run by Scottish Land & Estates, are now in their sixth year, and once...

Collaboration between communities, landowners and government can deliver on climate change

Press Release

Recognition that there needs to be positive collaboration between landowners, communities and government to achieve action on climate change is welcome, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation has responded to a statement on the Interim Principles for Responsible Investment in Natural Capital by Minister for...

Tougher penalties needed to fight Scotland’s flytipping shame

Press Release

People who illegally dump rubbish, sofas and building materials in Scotland’s beautiful countryside, roadsides and railways need to be hit with higher fines and longer prison sentences to end Scotland’s flytipping shame once and for all. That’s the message from Scottish Land & Estates and Keep Scotland Beautiful today as the Scottish...

Reality of National Planning Framework ‘falls far short of ambition’, says Scottish Land & Estates

Press Release

Scotland’s new National Planning Framework (NPF4) falls short in meeting its own ambition, says Scottish Land & Estates. The organisation has responded to the Scottish Government’s NPF4 consultation, welcoming the ambition of the proposed updated framework, but highlighting where it falls short in supporting rural interests. The...

SLE supportive of transparency of landownership

Press Release

Transparency of landownership is an important step in the relationship between owners of land and communities, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation, which represents farms and estates across Scotland, said the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest – which will become publicly accessible from...

Flytipping – last chance to tell government your views

General News

The Scottish Government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy consultation closes on Thursday 31 March 2022. We will be submitting a full response to the consultation which is quite detailed and covers 33 key areas. SLE members are strongly encouraged to respond to the consultation directly. There is no need to complete every section...

Scottish Land & Estates comment on Spring Statement

Press Release

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Scottish Land & Estates’ Head of Policy Stephen Young said: “Rural communities are disproportionately impacted by fuel increases, and it is vital to ensure people can continue to live and work in rural Scotland. “While the Chancellor’s cut to fuel duty is welcome, there is still huge...

New affordable housing development unveiled at Stracathro Estate, Angus

Press Release

A new family housing development in Angus - built as part of an affordable housing scheme pioneered by rural landowners - has been officially unveiled by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP. With the assistance of the Scottish Government’s Rural Housing Fund...