News

New Vice-Chairs complete SLE top team

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation has appointed two new Vice-Chairs to complete their top team. Dee Ward, who built up and sold an office water cooler business, before buying and running Rottal Estate in the Angus Glens, moves from his current role as SLE Vice Chair (Operations) to become the...

‘Missing’ hen harriers raised with police

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates said today that it has contacted Police Scotland over allegations that two hen harriers have disappeared in the Cairngorms National Park. Tim Baynes, Moorland Director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We were made aware today of information that two satellite-tagged hen harriers had stopped transmitting and have...

Protocols for landowning charities and trusts provide opportunity to enhance engagement

Press Release

New protocols for ownership of land by charities and private trusts can aid effective engagement with communities, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The good practice documents, issued by the Scottish Land Commission this week, set out expectations relating to transparency, accountability and governance of land owned by these vehicles...

SLE responds to Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee on coronavirus impact

Press Release

In its written response to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on the impact of coronavirus on Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business membership organisation, has said that proper collaboration of governments in the UK is needed for Scotland to thrive post-Covid. Commenting, Stephen Young, Head of Policy at...

Statement on Economic Recovery Report

Press Release

Commenting on the report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery – ‘Towards a Robust, Resilient Wellbeing Economy for Scotland’, Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates said: “A successful economic recovery for Scotland is crucial for our rural communities, some of whom have been hit particularly hard during the...

Progress made on short-term clarity for Scotland’s farming sector

Press Release

Scotland’s farming sector welcomes the security provided by this short-term Bill but remain keen to advance discussions on a longer-term solution to develop a resilient, efficient and thriving sector, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). Following on from Wednesday’s meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity...

Rural organisations unite in letter to Scottish Government over mountain hare vote

Press Release

Scotland’s rural organisations have expressed ‘shock and dismay’ about the parliamentary process which has led to full licensing of mountain hare controls. In a joint letter sent to Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, the six organisations said that whilst they had supported the broad thrust of this new...

Land managers ‘dismayed’ by mountain hare vote

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates said tonight that gamekeepers and land managers were ‘dismayed’ by a vote in the Scottish Parliament that outlaws the control of mountain hares. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Scottish Parliament has voted for sweeping changes to...

Rural organisations appeal for care over new animal welfare legislation

Press Release

Rural organisations today appealed for parliamentarians to ‘legislate with care’ as they face an 11th hour bid to outlaw the control of mountain hares in Scotland. The following organisations released a joint statement as the Scottish Parliament prepares to consider the final stage of a new animal welfare bill tomorrow (Wednesday): The...

Community buyout deals reflect ‘real spirit of co-operation’

Press Release

Following the announcement today by the Scottish Land Fund of funding awards to enable the purchase of land by community groups, Scottish Land & Estates issued the following statement. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We congratulate community groups on securing awards and the owners of land who have...