Land reform

A new report suggests the pace of land price increases is slowing

Scottish land market showing signs of slowdown as 'smaller' investors face exclusion

Scotland's land is a huge resource of untapped wealth, and taxing it could raise hundreds of millions, a new report says

Scotland's land is a huge resource of untapped wealth, and taxing it could raise hundreds of millions, a new report says

6

Scottish land tax could raise £450m every year, new report finds

Half of all privately owned rural land in Scotland is held by just 433 people and companies

Half of all privately owned rural land in Scotland is held by just 433 people and companies

7

Land ownership in Scotland more concentrated despite reforms, according to new data

At present, just 3% of Scotland's land is community-owned

At present, just 3% of Scotland's land is community-owned

3

Campaign aims to treble community land ownership in Scotland

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill has been introduced to Parliament

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill has been introduced to Parliament

14

Land Reform Bill to 'diversify ownership' introduced to Scottish Parliament

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said she wants to see more of the country owned by local communities

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said she wants to see more of the country owned by local communities

Community organisations

Scottish Government to review community right-to-buy powers

The World Bank has long cited the relationship between land reform and ending poverty

The World Bank has long cited the relationship between land reform and ending poverty

2

Land Reform Bill is a tortuous bureaucratic feast for vested interests

Langholm Moor shows the potential for land reform initiatives in Scotland, say campaigners

Langholm Moor shows the potential for land reform initiatives in Scotland, say campaigners

1

Communities must be put at heart of Scotland's land reform, say campaigners

The land reform debate is centuries old and often highly emotive, writes Kate Forbes

The land reform debate is centuries old and often highly emotive, writes Kate Forbes

12

Kate Forbes: Radical land reform is critical – but it is only part of the picture

Campaigners say the Land Reform Bill doesn't go far enough

Campaigners say the Land Reform Bill doesn't go far enough

2

'Deeply concerned': Campaigners say Land Reform Bill doesn't go far enough

Professor Richard Murphy explains why he feels a land value tax wouldn't solve the problems its supporters say it would

Professor Richard Murphy explains why he feels a land value tax wouldn't solve the problems its supporters say it would

21

Richard Murphy: Why am I not pushing for a land value tax? It wouldn't work.

Finance Minister Shona Robison should look back at the findings of the Social Justice and Fairness Commission to find a solution to land and buildings tax

Finance Minister Shona Robison should look back at the findings of the Social Justice and Fairness Commission to find a solution to land and buildings tax

6

Clear land tax may be key to achieving goal of Scottish independence

Former SNP president Michael Russell will serve as the chairman of the Scottish Land Commission

Former SNP president Michael Russell will serve as the chairman of the Scottish Land Commission

10

Ex-SNP president Michael Russell appointed to chair land reform body

Land reform in Scotland is being hotly debated with the Scottish Government proposing a public interest trigger on on land sales

Land reform in Scotland is being hotly debated with the Scottish Government proposing a public interest trigger on on land sales

5

Andy Wightman: How I would do Scottish land reform properly

Aerial view of Tayvallich rainforest fragment

Aerial view of Tayvallich rainforest fragment

1

Scotland's land is pulling diverse interests together in a desire for change

Prices for land in parts of Scotland rose by as much as 58% from 2020-2022, according to a recent report

Prices for land in parts of Scotland rose by as much as 58% from 2020-2022, according to a recent report

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

2

Report aims to plug 'vital' information gap for Scottish land reform policy

Mercedes Villalba demonstrated outside Moness Resort in Aberfeldy last month

Mercedes Villalba demonstrated outside Moness Resort in Aberfeldy last month

7

Plans to limit land ownership in Scotland given seal of approval by public

Glasgow has seen a particular boom in community buy-outs, according to the charity Community Land Scotland

Glasgow has seen a particular boom in community buy-outs, according to the charity Community Land Scotland

Community organisations

'Fantastic' growth of community buy-outs in Scottish cities, charity reports

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has been urged to make land reform more radical

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has been urged to make land reform more radical

5

Ignore 'vested interests' and push on with radical land reform, SNP urged

Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba has a proposed land reform bill lodged in the Scottish parliament

Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba has a proposed land reform bill lodged in the Scottish parliament

Discovery Land Company (DLC)

12

'Strengthen land reform' call after US developer buys up more Scottish land

The protest took place just north of Carlisle

The protest took place just north of Carlisle

Mass trespass staged near Border in call for England to adopt Scottish land reforms

The rush to to plant trees as a carbon fix serves to highlight the shallowness of bandwagon thinking

The rush to to plant trees as a carbon fix serves to highlight the shallowness of bandwagon thinking

Labour’s call for land reform is built on a shallowness of thought

Mercedes Villalba was looking to highlight how just 432 landowners own 50% of all Scotland’s privately owned rural land

Mercedes Villalba was looking to highlight how just 432 landowners own 50% of all Scotland’s privately owned rural land

11

MSP takes campaign for land ownership reform to Trump International

Michael Russell supports an increase in the Scottish Land Fund to buy out landowners

Michael Russell supports an increase in the Scottish Land Fund to buy out landowners

2

Plan to ‘turbocharge land reform’ will do nothing of the sort

SNP president Michael Russell has called for more radical land reform from the Scottish Government

SNP president Michael Russell has called for more radical land reform from the Scottish Government

14

SNP president backs Labour MSP in call for major change to land reform bill

Is Keir Starmer turning Labour into the Capital Party?

Is Keir Starmer turning Labour into the Capital Party?

13

Taxing wealth makes sense – and Scotland can take the lead

The Isle of Rum has its own struggle with land reform in the shape of Kinloch Castle

The Isle of Rum has its own struggle with land reform in the shape of Kinloch Castle

32

Michael Russell: The time has come. Here's what we must do to turbocharge land reform

Community buyouts mean 3% of Scotland is now owned by local people

Community buyouts mean 3% of Scotland is now owned by local people

23

Lesley Riddoch: Land ownership reform key to Scots confidence in indy

It is hoped the tax would lead to landowners choosing to protect areas which sequester large amounts of carbon, including peatlands

It is hoped the tax would lead to landowners choosing to protect areas which sequester large amounts of carbon, including peatlands

2

Majority of Scots support introduction of carbon land tax on large estates

Campaigners say the bar is

Campaigners say the bar is

Community organisations

2

Only TWO communities try (and fail) to take land into public ownership in five years

We've been covering the Taymouth Castle development plans

We've been covering the Taymouth Castle development plans

4

Join us for a Q&A on the Taymouth Castle 'compound for the rich' development

A proposed bill would look to limit how much land any single person could own in Scotland. Image: Dan Smedley on Unsplash

A proposed bill would look to limit how much land any single person could own in Scotland. Image: Dan Smedley on Unsplash

2

How to make our land benefit the many, not the few

First Minister Humza Yousaf said the Government would 'seriously consider' expert proposals on land reform

First Minister Humza Yousaf said the Government would 'seriously consider' expert proposals on land reform

14

Humza Yousaf to 'seriously consider' major change to land reform bill

Peatbogs would be utilised as carbon sinks under the John Muir Trust's proposal for a land tax on carbon

Peatbogs would be utilised as carbon sinks under the John Muir Trust's proposal for a land tax on carbon

15

Plans for 'world leading' carbon tax on Scotland's largest estates gains momentum

Land reform rhetoric has been successful but action has been lacking, a new report states

Land reform rhetoric has been successful but action has been lacking, a new report states

6

Scottish land reform efforts 'too fragmented and piecemeal', expert says

Photo: Sigmund on Unsplash

Photo: Sigmund on Unsplash

1

As London fiddles while Rome burns, Scotland must take radical action on land tax

The Tayvallich Estate was purchased by Highlands Rewilding in May

The Tayvallich Estate was purchased by Highlands Rewilding in May

Rewilding company sign agreement with community group to tackle depopulation

Ben Shieldaig hosts two contrasting Scottish rainforests on its slopes

Ben Shieldaig hosts two contrasting Scottish rainforests on its slopes

3

Gaelic name announced for West Highland estate

Taymouth Castle, which is at the centre of the row

Taymouth Castle, which is at the centre of the row

Behind the headlines

2

How we revealed the story of a Loch Tay compound for the mega-rich

There are plans to turn Taymouth Castle into a ‘clubhouse’ at the centre of a members-only resort

There are plans to turn Taymouth Castle into a ‘clubhouse’ at the centre of a members-only resort

2

Land tax would be a vote-winner, so why doesn't the Scottish Government act?

Mercedes Villalba said she 'disputes' claims by Scottish Land and Estates that her bill will impact on family farms

Mercedes Villalba said she 'disputes' claims by Scottish Land and Estates that her bill will impact on family farms

2

'Misinformation' row as Labour MSP launches bid to limit land ownership

Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba wants to limited how much Scottish land the 'super-rich' can own

Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba wants to limited how much Scottish land the 'super-rich' can own

Progress on land reform has been limited to baby steps despite much hue and cry

A proposed bill would look to limit how much land any single person could own in Scotland

A proposed bill would look to limit how much land any single person could own in Scotland

15

MSP bids to limit how much Scottish land a single person can own

Kinloch Castle on Rum is up for sale, with owners NatureScot saying it is a drain on taxpayer-funded resources

Kinloch Castle on Rum is up for sale, with owners NatureScot saying it is a drain on taxpayer-funded resources

11

I live on Rum. Here's why its iconic castle should not be sold to one rich man

A derelict former social work building at Corkerhill Gardens, Glasgow

A derelict former social work building at Corkerhill Gardens, Glasgow

Revealed: The value of Scotland's derelict land sparks call for reform

Newstead Village Green. Photo by: Lisa Colquhoun Cowan

Newstead Village Green. Photo by: Lisa Colquhoun Cowan

2

Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited village hails community buyout success

SNP leadership race is perfect opportunity to seize the day on land reform

SNP leadership race is perfect opportunity to seize the day on land reform

10

SNP leadership race is perfect opportunity to seize the day on land reform

The Assynt Crofters Trust has threatened a community buyout of land owned by conservation charity the John Muir Trust

The Assynt Crofters Trust has threatened a community buyout of land owned by conservation charity the John Muir Trust

18

Crofters threaten hostile ‘takeover’ of charity-owned land due to deer cull

Who could argue against a transparent system of registering land that shows exactly who owns what?

Who could argue against a transparent system of registering land that shows exactly who owns what?

7

Land tax would generate both revenue and transparency about ownership

Farmers and small crofters gathered outside Holyrood over the Scottish Government's Agriculture Bill

Farmers and small crofters gathered outside Holyrood over the Scottish Government's Agriculture Bill

2

Crofters gather outside Holyrood to demand more support in Agriculture Bill

We must show voters how to end depopulation and environmental degradation that inflict on deep harm on many rural and urban communities.

We must show voters how to end depopulation and environmental degradation that inflict on deep harm on many rural and urban communities.

2

Land reform and independence are inseparable aims as we are mere tenants in our own lands

A view over Glengarry and Ardochy Forest from the A87. Photo by Tim Rüßmann on Unsplash

A view over Glengarry and Ardochy Forest from the A87. Photo by Tim Rüßmann on Unsplash

2

Highland glen given 'pivotal' repopulation boost by community buy-out

The Isle of Eigg community recently celebrated 25 years of community land ownership

The Isle of Eigg community recently celebrated 25 years of community land ownership

4

Community ownership of Scottish land skyrockets over two decades, report shows

Arran Development Trust hopes to see changes to the rules that will help free up land for housing

Arran Development Trust hopes to see changes to the rules that will help free up land for housing

Highlands & Islands

1

Action on land reform can help to provide much-needed rural housing

Read more articles