Final debate nears for Scottish land reform bill

The landmark Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is moving rapidly toward its final vote in the Scottish Parliament, with Stage 3 debates and votes scheduled for 28-29 October and 4 November.

Aimed at reshaping land ownership and tenancy arrangements in Scotland, the bill is being described as an opportunity to reverse the long-term contraction of the tenanted sector – but experts warn that several concerns remain.

The bill’s key measures include requiring large landowners (those with holdings above 1,000ha) to publish long-term land management plans, expanding community rights to buy land, and allowing ministers to break up (“lot”) large estates when they are sold, to create purchase opportunities for tenants and local communities.

See also: Scottish Land Reform Bill ‘unworkable’, landowner group warns

The Scottish government says the bill will help forge a “strong and dynamic relationship between land and people”.

Secretary for rural affairs and islands Mairi Gougeon previously stated: “We do not think it is right that ownership and control of much of Scotland’s land is still in the hands of relatively few people.”

The reforms have been broadly welcomed by tenant-farming supporters. Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) chairman Christopher Nicholson said:

“Tenants who have followed the development of the bill will recognise and welcome the common sense Part 2 tenancy reforms.

“Access to future support payments and premium commodity markets are likely to be conditional on farmers undertaking environmental measures, and the bill ensures a level playing field for tenants by addressing the current barriers facing tenants undertaking environmental diversifications.”

End to ‘off-market’ sales

Mr Nicholson also backed Part 1 measures to regulate large estates and curb off-market sales.

“Firstly, the new lotting provisions in Part 1 should put an end to the current practice of private ‘off-market’ sales of large estates, often to speculative green investors, with no opportunity given to tenants or other occupiers to purchase all or part of their holdings,” he said.

“Secondly, Part 1 introduces stronger oversight of the management of large estates. A new land and communities commissioner will be established.

“Owners of large estates will be required to prepare long-term land management plans. This will increase the transparency and accountability of the management of large estates.”

Joint letter

However, on 3 October, a coalition of tenant, landlord and land-management organisations wrote to Ms Gougeon urging the government to amend Part 2 of the bill to restore confidence and fairness in agricultural letting.

The joint letter focuses on targeted technical amendments to the bill’s resumption provisions (when the landlord takes back part of the tenancy), aimed at achieving fairer and more practical outcomes for all parties.

It was signed by NFU Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters & Valuers Association, and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

NFU Scotland head of policy Gemma Cooper said: “We understand that views differ, and we welcome robust discussion on such an important debate. 

“Our intent is always to constructively influence legislation in a way that ensures fairness, clarity and confidence across the sector. Where organisations enter negotiations in the spirit of openness and transparency, we remain open to all dialogue.”