Future of Land Reform in Scotland

Making sure people know who owns land in Scotland is a key issue of a land reform consultation.

The consultation will look to restricting companies, trusts and partnerships that can own land within the EU. This will not affect individuals from all over the world who want to buy land in Scotland but will make it easier to contact the landowner or hold them to account if necessary.

It will also look at ways of modernising how Common Good should be managed, used and transferred - such as a local park, a building like a local town hall, or even a piece of art or a small financial fund - to consider the best way of managing them appropriately, especially where they have historical, social, cultural or environmental importance to the local community.

Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod said: “The Scottish Government’s vision is for a strong relationship between the people of Scotland and the land of Scotland, where ownership and use of the land delivers greater public benefits through a democratically accountable and transparent system of land rights that promotes fairness and social justice, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

She added: “I am keen to see a fairer and more equitable, distribution of land in Scotland where communities and individuals can own and use land to realise their potential. Scotland's land must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few.

“At present information on who owns land is held by many different bodies including, Registers of Scotland, SEPA, Local Authorities as well as the Scottish Government. This consultation will look at finding ways to bring this information together, which will not only inform debate and public decision making but also help private decision making and drive opportunity.

“This consultation is part of a public debate about land and the public interest, and how land in Scotland works for the people of Scotland. This is not simply for those with strong existing interests in land but a process in which I hope everyone will engage.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would treble the Scottish Land Fund – from £3 million this year to £10 million in 2016. She also confirmed the consultation would look at removing tax breaks for sporting estates.

The consultation on land reform will also consider a dedicated resource within the Scottish Government to promote and facilitate community land ownership across the whole of Scotland.

It will also look at improving deer management legislation and the proactive management of public sector land and extending the powers of Forestry Commissioners

Future of land reform in Scotland

7 December 2014