News

SLE statement on RSPB licensing consultation

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, whose members include land businesses with shooting interests across Scotland, issued the following statement in view of the outcome announced at the RSPB AGM in regard to licensing of gamebird shooting. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The outcome announced today is not...

Proposed changes to Scotland’s planning system could hamper green recovery

Press Release

Proposed changes to Scotland’s planning system could hamper a green recovery, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and businesses, has warned today. The proposals by the Scottish Government in their ‘Scottish Planning Policy and Housing: Proposed Policy Amendments’ consultation could see the removal...

Rural organisations urge government to back new ‘blueprint’ for future of shooting

Press Release

Scotland’s rural organisations have written to the Scottish Government today to unveil a new blueprint for the shooting sector which can deliver major benefits for the environment. The guidelines provide the most comprehensive framework to date for the creation, management and restoration of habitat for wildlife. The ‘Principles of...

Short-term Covid restrictions could have long-term impacts on rural Scotland 

Press Release

New short-term changes to curb the rise in Covid-19 infections could lead to considerable job losses and businesses becoming unviable unless the right support is provided, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organsiation representing rural businesses and landowners. Following on from today’s announcement of new restrictions taking...

Muirburn vital in aiding carbon storage and preventing wildfires

Press Release

Muirburn – the controlled, cool burning of heather on Scotland’s moorlands – is becoming ever more important in the fight against wildfires in Scotland, land managers said today. As the permitted season for muirburn (October 1 to April 15) opens, grouse moors and estates are working with government, conservation groups and Scottish Fire &...

90 year old great gran & 21 year old student among winners of Scottish Helping It Happen Awards

Press Release

90 year old Margaret Payne who won the nation’s hearts when she scaled the equivalent of Suilven on her stairs, climbing 282 times over 10 weeks and raising £430K for charity, has been named Highland Community Champion of the Year at the national Helping it Happen Awards. Other winners include those who have helped Scotland’s rural...

Scottish Land & Estates statement on satellite tag

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has issued the following statement in response to an RSPB Scotland press release regarding a satellite tag located in Perthshire. Mark Tennant, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Where there is an indication that a wildlife crime may have been committed, we fully support a thorough police...

New Job Support Scheme and VAT rate cut

General News

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new Job Support Scheme, starting in November 2020. The Job Support Scheme will provide wage support to allow employers to bring their staff back for shorter hours. Employees must work a third of their normal hours and employers will continue to pay the wages of staff for the hours they work. However...

Hammer blow to Scottish tourism from new Covid rules

Press Release

Scottish tourism has been dealt another huge blow after the Scottish Government back tracked this morning and said families and friends from two households CAN’T stay in the same self-catering property except in a few special circumstances. The move comes after the government had said on Tuesday that self-catering properties were exempt...

New approach needed to protect farm animals from attacks

Press Release

A new approach which increases the focus on preventing incidents of livestock worrying rather than simply punishing those responsible is needed to help tackle this ongoing issue in Scotland’s countryside says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses. Following an evidence...