Land Reform
Scotland has a progressive and ongoing land reform agenda, with a new Land Reform Bill introduced in 2024. The key aim of land reform policy is to improve Scotland's system of landownership, use, rights and responsibilities, so that land may contribute to a fair and just society while balancing public and private interests.
A key objective of land reform is to tackle the scale and concentration of landownership in Scotland.
Since 2003, communities and crofting communities have had the Right to Buy their land, with four rights now in place including rights to force a sale. There are various supports in place, including purchasing money from the Scottish Land Fund.
However, land is entering into community-ownership at a slower rate than anticipated and high land values often mean the Scottish Land Fund's contributions are not sufficient to help with purchases. Natural capital payments, such as Carbon Credits and Peatland Restoration Credits, are attracting well-funded companies and institutions to purchase land leading to increased competition and driving up land prices.
This page will bring you new research, blogs, and briefings as they become available.
