Calum MacLeod

The Harris Tapestry and Family Ties January 7th 2026 was the 100th anniversary of my late father, Norman John MacLeod’s birth in Finsbay in the Isle of Harris. He’s on the right in this photograph, probably taken in the 1…

calummacleodblog.wordpress.com/2026/01/08/t....
I’ve written a blog about the Harris Tapestry and family ties to mark what would have been my father’s 100th birthday.

New analysis from the Scottish Land Commission and SRUC reveals the rural land market is showing signs of cooling.

The 2025 Land Market Insights Report, launched today, uncovers how economic uncertainty is reshaping land sales and investment across Scotland.

Read the report 👉 buff.ly/1z1xjoy

So in awe of these brilliant women that I’ve overcome my TikTok aversion to try and share their stories further…

🎧 Listen to ‘Brute Force: domestic abuse in the ranks’ wherever you get your podcasts

🗞️ And read the story online: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

‘Staying silent is no longer an option’: female police of... When a domestic abuser is also a fellow police officer, victims have been subjected to further trauma as forces close ranks against them. Now survivors a...

🚨ICYMI I’ve spent months talking to policewomen abused by fellow officers about how their partners used police training and authority to facilitate abuse - and how their own forces closed ranks when they asked for help.

Read: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5j5L...

📣 We're excited to launch ScotLand Futures – a national conversation about the future of Scotland’s land.

In this short video, Chair of the Commission, Michael Russell, explains what the initiative is all about, why it matters, and how you can get involved.

Find out more at buff.ly/Q7dnd3S.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're reflecting on the theme of community.

We know land plays a big part in shaping those communities, the places we live, connect, and belong.

Land isn’t just about policy or planning – it’s about people & we all benefit when communities are rooted in fairness.

We’re hiring a Research Officer to lead key work including our Land Market Insights reports. Apply your research skills to real-world impact in land reform.

📍 Scotland-based (flexible)
💼 £36,038 - £41,166
📅 2-year post | Secondments welcome

Deadline: 21 May at 12pm
Apply here: buff.ly/8THAj2K

Fraser MacDonald · On Compost I sometimes wonder whether my love of compost is a response to the dispiriting cleanness of modern life – the spray’...

I got to write a short piece – On Compost – for the LRB.

(If you know me irl, you’ll understand that this is a happy thing)

🚨 1 WEEK TO GO!

Thinking about applying for our Business Support Assistant role? Now’s the time to get your application in!

📍 Inverness | 💰 £25,388 - £27,992
🎓 Earn a Business Admin SVQ Level 3
🕔 Apply by 5pm, Mon 21 April

📩 Apply now: www.landcommission.gov.scot/work-for-us

🌿 New Route Map published

A practical guide to help landowners, developers and communities ensure nature projects like peatland and woodland restoration deliver real, lasting benefits for local people.

Find out more 👉 buff.ly/h5MGZCE

We’re hiring a Business Support Assistant ✅

Kickstart your career with a Modern Apprenticeship in Business Admin (SVQ3), with hands on HR & Finance experience.

📍 Inverness | 💰 £25,388–£27,992 | 📅 Apply by 21 April

👉 landcommission.gov.scot/work-for-us

📌 Statement from Chair of the Scottish Land Commission on the sale of landholdings by the Clan Donald Lands Trust

www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

Kickstart your career with a Modern Apprenticeship!

The Scottish Land Commission is hiring a Business Support Assistant in Inverness. Gain real-world experience while earning a fully funded SVQ3 in Business Admin.

📅 Apply by 21 April 2025 👉 www.landcommission.gov.scot/work-for-us

In our latest blog, the Tenant Farming Commissioner highlights the data gap in Scotland’s tenant farming sector, and why better information is crucial for farmers, landowners, and policymakers.

www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

🌲 Exciting news, the Scottish Land Commission and @cairngormsnews.bsky.social have appointed Annabel Davidson Knight as Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, the first role of its kind in Scotland!

📢 New Governance Guide – diverse and collaborative approaches

Explore real-life examples of how good governance is transforming how land is managed in Scotland in our newly published guide.

Learn more about the benefits of collaboration and find inspiring case studies on our interactive map.

Land for Rural Housing: Supporting the Delivery of New Rural Homes Policy update – Land for Rural Housing: Supporting the Delivery of New Rural Homes. With guest speakers from the Communities Housing Trust.

🏡 Land for Rural Housing: CPD Webinar 🏡

Join us and Communities Housing Trust on 19 March, 12pm for insights on unlocking land for rural homes. Learn from successes on Colonsay and hear about SLC’s recommendations.

📍 Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/land-for-r...

‘Greed and money over community’: in Stornoway, locals are divided over Tesco’s Sunday opening The Hebridean island’s shops have remained firmly closed on the Sabbath for decades – but now the supermarket giant has bucked the trend

In today’s Observer I went to Stornoway on Lewis to talk to people about their local Tesco opening on Sundays.

The row has been painted by some as extreme religion versus progress - but I found a more complicated story about community, tradition and civic pride:

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Bold new step by the KLTR to tackle ownerless property | KLTR The KLTR has launched its new Proactive BV project, which will create new opportunities to bring ownerless properties back into purposeful use.

We are delighted to contribute to this project, which proactively identifies ownerless properties and creates opportunities to revitalise neglected buildings, transforming them into valuable assets for communities.

www.kltr.gov.uk/news/proacti...

Fraser MacDonald · Diary: Remembering Nan Shepherd The novels weren’t the point. The point of Nan Shepherd was herself. My mother described what a thrill it was to be...

My recollection of Nan Shepherd is rather faint but I wrote about the quiet late life (and literary afterlife) of my mother’s friend and teacher, prompted by the new correspondence edited by @kerriandrewsuk.bsky.social

📄 Strengthening the Land Reform Bill

We have published advice to Minister on Part 1 of the Bill. The Bill looks to address power imbalances from concentrated land ownership. Our recommendations focus on strengthening those measures and simplifying their implementation.

https://buff.ly/4fXtgBn

I’m pleased to have been appointed as a Scottish Land Commissioner and looking forward to contributing to Scotland’s land reform agenda in that role.

ICYMI: Our Rural Land Market Data Report shows a 54% drop in forestry sales amid lower market activity. It offers key insights into forestry, farmland, and estate transactions, shaping the picture of Scotland's land market.

Read more: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the impactful work we’ve done this year that has helped shape Scotland’s land reform journey.

Swipe to explore some of the highlights 👀

Looking ahead, we remain focused on making more of Scotland's land—stay tuned!