What does the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 mean for forestry? James MacKessack-Leitch, explores how the new legislation could shape investment, community engagement and woodland management in this article. Shared with permission of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (RSFS). buff.ly/5BgvPhX
What's next for community ownership in Scotland? We're bringing together the experts behind some of the latest research and policy advice to explore where community ownership goes from here—and answer your questions in a live Q&A. 📅 20 August | 12–1pm 🎟️ Free to attend: buff.ly/PaxMPHI
What role does tax play in tackling derelict land? Our latest tax report looks at the regeneration context.
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 2w agoLong-term derelict land represents a major opportunity. These sites could provide homes, jobs, green space and support wider regeneration. Our latest research explores how tax policy could play a more strategic role alongside other measures to help bring more of them back into use. buff.ly/3FFGYk7
New advice setting out practical steps to expand community ownership across Scotland and help more communities benefit from owning local land and assets has been published today.
Scottish Land Commission report aims to unlock community ownership potential
New advice setting out practical steps to expand community ownership across Scotland and help more communities benefit from owning local land and assets has been published today.
scottishhousingnews.com
Our new advice points to a refreshed approach to supporting community ownership in Scotland. Some big wins to be made through:
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 3w agoCommunity ownership is already creating jobs, supporting homes, restoring nature and strengthening communities across Scotland. Our new advice sets out practical steps to help more communities succeed, including better funding, stronger support and simpler processes. buff.ly/ZhFBV2h
We're growing our team! Community Land Scotland is recruiting for two new roles as part of our ambitious Inclusive Ownership project, a UK-wide partnership working to make community ownership of land and buildings more accessible.
Job vacancies – Community Land Scotland
Community Land Scotland
communitylandscotland.org.uk
Better use of land information could strengthen public services. The latest @scottishlandcom.bsky.social @srucnews.bsky.social report via @scottishhousingnews.com www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/bet...
Better use of land information in Scotland could strengthen public services
If Scotland modernises its collection and use of land information, a more effective system for communities, public services and the economy could be in the pipeline, a new report from the Scottish Lan...
scottishhousingnews.com
NEW report on what we can learn about land information systems for transparency, tax and valuation
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 4w agoWhen we have a clearer picture of how land is owned, used and valued, we can make better decisions that benefit communities, public services and the economy. Our latest research explores what Scotland can learn from countries with more connected land information systems. buff.ly/skb81PR
How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform?
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 6mo agoHow 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. buff.ly/6tfFfI3
Scotland’s rural land market is becoming more cautious and selective, according to our new Rural Land Market Report 2026, produced with SRUC. After years of rapid growth, activity slowed across most sectors with buyers taking more time and looking more closely at long-term returns. buff.ly/ipqieB4
Very pleased that @gillianamartin.bsky.social, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action & Rural Affairs came to #Langholm yesterday to meet with the Board & Senior Staff of the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social and the @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social #LandReform #Communityownership
Thanks for the opportunity to talk about our latest policy advice @oxfamscotland.bsky.social
@oxfamscotland.bsky.social · 4mo agoLand in the UK is worth approx £6.7 trillion, over half the UK's total wealth. But who owns it? Profits from it? Pays tax on it? These systems shape how land is used & whether it delivers for a fairer, greener Scotland. @scottishlandcom.bsky.social blog for #TaxJusticeScotland bit.ly/4t4RpwL
Out now: the seventh in the BEFS Joining the Dots series ✍️ In this new blog, Katherine Pollard of the Scottish Land Commission explores how land reform connects to housing, high streets, retrofit and community empowerment. Take a look:
ScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environment
In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambitions. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative, which engaged over 1,200 people, Kathie argues that land reform is not just a rural issue but critical to addressing urban challenges from housing need to high street decline. She outlines three priorities for the next phase of land reform: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power to ensure ownership works for the public good, and shaping change locally through strengthened planning. With 96% of respondents calling for further changes to land ownership and use, Kathie demonstrates how existing powers, from compulsory purchase to tenement maintenance models, can be better utilised to create thriving, equitable and sustainable places across Scotland.
befs.org.uk
The key takeaway: better land data and modern systems are essential if tax is to play a more strategic role in land and environmental policy. 👉 buff.ly/28hiGt6
A carbon land tax on peatland faces practical challenges right now, including: ⏺️ Measuring emissions at landholding level ⏺️ Gaps in land ownership & land condition data ⏺️ Limited land valuation and information systems
New advice from the Scottish Land Commission highlights how tax could support climate action and land reform — but also the practical challenges of introducing a peatland carbon tax. 🧵
But a simple #Scottish #land #use publication is not enough: look at these delicious storymaps fascinating and interactive! storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/45b9...
Supporting Evidence for Scotland’s 4th Land Use Strategy
This document contains evidence, maps and data that inform understanding of Land Use in Scotland.
storymaps.arcgis.com
Graeme Beale@midfyffe.bsky.social · 5mo agoRESAS has published the supporting evidence pack for the 4th #Land Use Strategy for #Scotland. Loads and loads of analysis to feast on in relation to land use, cover, ecosystem services, ownership, tenure. An awful lot of @hutton.ac.uk maps in there too! www.gov.scot/publications...
RESAS has published the supporting evidence pack for the 4th #Land Use Strategy for #Scotland. Loads and loads of analysis to feast on in relation to land use, cover, ecosystem services, ownership, tenure. An awful lot of @hutton.ac.uk maps in there too! www.gov.scot/publications...
Scotland's Fourth Land Use Strategy: supporting evidence pack
The evidence pack to support Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy. It draws on published materials to provide a baseline understanding of land in Scotland, and aims to increase awareness of the interpl...
gov.scot
Thanks @thebefs.bsky.social for the opportunity to write about why land reform matters to the future of urban Scotland @scottishlandcom.bsky.social www.befs.org.uk/latest/joini...
ScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environment - Built Environment Forum Scotland
In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambiti...
befs.org.uk
Exciting next steps for land reform! From land use planning, data and tax- there is a lot more to be done to create certainty, stability and open up our land system
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 5mo agoToday 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 buff.ly/6gz3izL buff.ly/eKe4tOK
New article on passing of #Communitywealthbuilding legislation in Scotland. bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/02/21/c...
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. buff.ly/6tfFfI3
Looking forward to speaking about our @scottishlandcom.bsky.social work with @adriennebuller.bsky.social @lmacfarlane.bsky.social
Scotland's Economics Festival@scoteconfest.bsky.social · 7mo agoTHE BREAK-DOWN presents Land - Where Ecology and the Economy Collide. Drill Hall, Leith. General Admission £8. www.tickettailor.com/events...
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. buff.ly/d2WiqxL
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. buff.ly/tosofVq
Excellent series (and reference to the housing theory of everything) @vickyspratt.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/serie...
BBC Sounds - Housing Britain - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of Housing Britain on BBC Sounds.
bbc.co.uk
When it’s developers v people, usually the money wins. I saw how one community came out on top | Jason Okundaye
When it’s developers v people, usually the money wins. I saw how one community came out on top | Jason Okundaye
A social housing victory at the ‘luxury’ Battersea power station development shows the power of grassroots politics – and holds a lesson for all of our cities, says Guardian assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye
theguardian.com
A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.
Global best practice could help Scotland unlock fairer, greener land taxation, report finds
A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.
scottishconstructionnow.com
Concentrated ownership, absentee landlords and a lack of transparency in how land is managed are some of the concerns the public has over land in Scotland, according to a new report published by the Scottish Land Commission.
Public’s concerns over land use outlined in new report
Concentrated ownership, absentee landlords and a lack of transparency in how land is managed are some of the concerns the public has over land in Scotland, according to a new report published by the Scottish Land Commission.
scottishhousingnews.com
