Scottish Land Commission

Last week we looked at community engagement, but engagement is only part of the picture.

This week we’re highlighting our Protocol on good stewardship of land, setting out expectations for long-term, responsible management that supports communities, nature and future generations.

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Today the Scottish Land Commission publishes its ScotLand Futures roadmap, setting out practical steps to reform how land is owned and used.

Three priorities:
🌱 Open up land opportunities
⚖️ Rebalance ownership power
🏘️ Put communities at the heart of decisions

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Following on from last week’s spotlight on Common Good land and buildings, this week we’re highlighting our Protocol on Community Engagement.

It sets out expectations for early, proactive and transparent engagement when decisions about land may affect communities.

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⚠️ Update: Islay visit cancelled due to ferry

Unfortunately, due to ferry cancellations the TFC is not able to travel to Islay on 18–19 February.

We apologise for the short notice and for the earlier post confirming the visit. We appreciate that this may cause inconvenience.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting a different protocol and explaining why it matters.

This week: Common Good land and buildings. These assets are held for public benefit, and how they are managed matters for transparency, community trust and local decision-making.

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TFC – Island Visits

Rob Black & Peter McDougall will be on Bute this evening and on Islay on 18–19 Feb, attending STFA meetings.

They’re keen to meet tenant farmers and landlords informally during the day to hear about experiences of tenancy and the sector more widely.

tfc@landcommission.gov.scot

How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform?

In our latest guest blog, Dr Bryonny Goodwin-Hawkins unpacks why land valuation is harder than it looks, drawing on recent discussions in Wales and reflecting on what this means for tax and land reform across the UK.

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Relinquishment and Assignation has been in place for nearly five years, but is it working for new entrants?

In his latest blog, Peter MacDougall looks at the evidence so far and asks whether opportunities for new entrants are being fully realised.

👉 Read the full blog: buff.ly/b9PW7mh

One year on from launching our Community Benefits from Nature project, Annabel shared reflections on what we’ve learned so far.

We’ve also developed practical resources to support collaboration between communities and natural capital projects 👇

Blog: buff.ly/3i7oijt
Resources : buff.ly/Mcx1YqU

We’ve refreshed our Good Practice Protocols.

They set out clear expectations for responsible land ownership & management, based on experience since 2019.

Good practice matters. When landowners & communities work together, it builds trust and supports positive long-term outcomes.

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Na chuala sinn bho ScotLand Futures – a-nis ri fhaighinn sa Ghàidhlig.

Many responses highlighted the strong connection between land, culture and language. We want our ScotLand Futures work to reflect that, including through bilingual publications where possible.

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What have we learned so far about community benefits from nature? 🌱

After a year of working with landowners and communities, we’re sharing key lessons on trust, skills and collaboration, and what comes next as delivery gets under way.

Read the blog: buff.ly/3i7oijt

⚡ In Wolfhagen, Germany, citizens co-own their energy company through a cooperative.

They help govern decisions, power their homes with local renewables, and share in the profits.

📖 Read the full case study in our Governance Guide: buff.ly/LIGQB9P

We know inboxes can get busy, so we keep our emails focused and useful.

📆 By sign up to our mailing list you will receive our bi-monthly newsletter with the latest news, events, research and stories from across Scotland’s land sector - no spam, just clear, timely updates.

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People across Scotland told us in our ScotLand Futures survey about the impact derelict and abandoned sites can have on communities, especially when they’re left to decay for years.

Our online tool helps people understand how these places can be brought back into use.

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New insights from the Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 show forestry land values cooling, small-scale sales dominating, strong per-hectare farmland prices and ongoing data challenges for land transparency.

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🎄Festive closure notice 🎄

The Scottish Land Commission will be closed for the festive break from Wednesday 24 December until Monday 5 January 2026.

Voices from Scotland, part of our ScotLand Futures initiative, brings together perspectives from across the country on the outcomes land reform should deliver for people, nature and the economy.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

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Our Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 is out this week.

In a new blog, Research Officer Julie Rostan explains what the latest data tells us, and why hidden sale prices could be masking the true scale of Scotland’s rural land market.

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New Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 shows Scotland’s rural land market continued to cooled in 2024:

🌲 Forestry prices down to £10,054/ha - a drop of 34% from 2023
🏘️ Only 6 large-scale estate sales - a 5 year low
🚜Farmland prices rose slightly to an average of £16,502/ha

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🌲 At Caerlaverock Castle, a small woodlot is making a big difference.

Andy Brown manages an ancient oak woodland through a lease, producing firewood, improving biodiversity and restoring access.

It’s low-impact forestry with long-term value.

Read more: buff.ly/TZFO0ti

Community ownership delivers wide benefits, but Scotland’s Rights to Buy need to keep pace with changing conditions.

Our latest blog explains why the current review by Scottish Government is important for communities across Scotland: 🔗 buff.ly/VjOClYo

📢 New op-ed from Michael Russell, Chair of the Scottish Land Commission

Survey shows 96% of people believe Scotland still needs further land reform.

In his op-ed, Michael Russell reflects on this, the Land Reform Bill, why progress matters, and why the journey isn’t over.

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Thank you to everyone who took part in our ScotLand Futures survey. More than 1,200 people shared their views, and 96% told us Scotland still needs further action on land reform 👇

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What started as a woodland buyout in Glengarry has grown into something much bigger 🌲

Glengarry Community Development Trust is using community ownership to support cabins, crofts, and local jobs backed by cooperative governance and shared values.

📖 Read more: buff.ly/jXi5Hdk

We’re pleased to welcome Sarah Madden & Kathie Pollard to senior roles helping drive Scotland’s land reform agenda at a pivotal time. Sarah becomes Head of Practice and Advice, and Kathie steps into Head of Policy.

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From the origins of the word “boycott” to the realities of modern-day land agents, Peter reflects on how far the sector has come and why behaviour and relationships still matter.

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📌 Scotland takes important step towards fairer use and ownership of land

Scottish Land Commission statement on the passing of the Land Reform Bill

🌲 Carbeth Hutters Community Company owns 150 acres of land and 177 huts all governed by the people who live there.

From rent strike to community ownership, it's a powerful model of stewardship and shared decision-making.

More in our Governance Guide: buff.ly/qy3uBtG

Last night’s ScotLand Futures event in Aberdeen marked the end of our series of public meetings.

Across Scotland we’ve heard strong themes including last night where community empowerment, land for housing, and frustration with planning were key issues.

👀 ScotLand Futures findings coming soon.