The Scottish Government has revealed its “transformative” proposals to address concerns over land ownership - and has invited all those affected to have their say on proposals it says could empower rural communities and help tackle the climate emergency.
A consultation on the ambitious Land Reform Bill, which is expected to be introduced by the end of 2023, has been launched.
The plans aim to address the highly-concentrated pattern of land ownership in rural Scotland.
Proposed measures include the creation of a public interest test for transfers of large-scale landholdings, with owners of large holdings required to give prior notice to community bodies on their intention to sell.
There will also be a requirement on those seeking land-based subsidies to have the land registered in the Land Register, to ensure transparency around who benefits from the public funding.
Environment and land reform minister Mairi McAllan visited the Ecology Centre in Kinghorn, Fife, to formally launch the consultation.
Ms McAllan said: “Land reform is a pervasive issue in Scotland. We have a strong record of progressive and innovative land reform – but this journey is not complete.
“We must continue to develop and implement land reform that addresses historical inequalities and, at the same time, we must rise to changing social, environmental and economic issues in contemporary Scotland.
“I recognise, and am fully committed to tackling, the adverse effects of scale and concentration of landownership – and empowering communities in the process.
“I am also clear that while investment in Scotland’s natural capital is vital to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, we must ensure that our people and communities are not disadvantaged and, indeed, can benefit.”
Ms McAllan said “improving transparency” in land ownership would be a priority.
She added: “That’s why this summer we will be consulting on a wide range of transformative proposals – including our aim to ensure that the public interest is considered on transfers of particularly large-scale landholdings.
“The new bill will be a significant step forward in ensuring our land is owned diversely and is used in the public interest and to the benefit of the people of Scotland.”
Ailsa Raeburn, chair of Community Land Scotland, welcomed the consultation. She said: “We very much hope the new Bill encompasses a range of measures that effectively tackles the endemic issues of scale and concentration of land ownership and the adverse effects this has on local communities.”
The proposals from the bill are based on recommendations from the Scottish Land Commission (SLC).
Andrew Thin, chair of the SLC, said: “The Scottish Land Commission has been working over the last five years to provide a robust evidence base for our recommendations on making land work better in the public interest, highlighting the opportunity land reform can bring to Scotland and its people.”
