BLOG - Land Reform: 25 years of performance politics. Thoughts in the aftermath of the conclusion of Stage 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. The Bill remains ineffective and structural land reform feels as far away as it did before 1999. andywightman.scot/2025/07/land...

A momentous day for land reform in Scotland! The first compulsory purchase of land using Right to Buy legislation . This follows a failed appeal against the Scottish Government decision by the landowner. Well done Poet's Neuk! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A good example of the dire need for more effective Land Reform policy, but too late for this community 😥

SCCE are running another webinar on The Scottish Government's Community Benefits consultation. Join us to discuss the consultation! All community members welcome from urban and rural communities! Sign up now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-... @nescanhub.bsky.social @lornaslater.bsky.social

Definitely one to check out if this is coming to a place near you! Great to see this coming to the Borders 🫶

Today the Scottish Parliament’s Energy, Transport and Net Zero Committee published its Stage 1 report on the Land Reform Bill The report includes concerns raised by our co-director Laurie Macfarlane that the Bill falls far short of what is needed to transform Scotland’s land market

"Dig where we stand" - local action is a ray of light in a mad world. Thought provoking as ever, thanks Alastair.

⌛ Still time to sign up! ⌛ 🎉 Watch the Simon Fraser Memorial Lecture 2025: London 🎉 A vital exchange of learning—working with @CLTNetwork, @peoplesbiz & @cwmpas to deepen our understanding of the path to community power through land ownership. 🕙 Register for the livestream:

Rural areas are often seen as empty spaces available for energy infrastructure at scale. In reality without thriving rural communities a just transition is not possible. Development should be done in partnership with, not to, local communities. Let's not repeat the mistakes of the past...

Loved reading this book by @rebeccasmithauthor.bsky.social - an honest, real reflection on rural community life, with land ownership thread throughout. Who owns land matters, that's where the power lies.

Heading to #SCVOGathering this morning, looking forward to a day of connecting and learning 🫶

📢 New @clanscot.bsky.social Website Launched! This is a new hub for researchers, policymakers & community landowners to share knowledge & collaborate, and features: 🔎 Free research library 🤝 Expert connections 📖 Open access resources Visit the website 👉 https://clan.scot

Are you interested in community landownership? Follow CLAN and find out all about their inspiring work 🫶

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...

The Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) is deeply saddened by the loss of their co-founder Jim Johnson. We at SEDA extend our deepest sympathy to Jim’s family and many friends. The world is better because of him.

I will be talking about the new edition of my book, The Poor Had No Lawyers, at this event in Edinburgh Tue 11 Feb 7pm. Tickets here. www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/edinb...

Is your #Combiz looking for group funding?🤔 Whether your funding needs are large/small, join us to explore the options available, including grants, loans and fundraising.  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-business-funding-options-and-opportunities-tickets-1145411158609

Check out this newly published series of short videos about Local Place Plans. Great working with you on this @nwplanning.bsky.social and Paul Nelis (Scottish Community Development Center)! www.scdc.org.uk/local-place-...

Refreshed starter pack go.bsky.app/E6BevH7 👋

Could community ownership be the solution for your local area? 🤔 On Tue 14 January, Plunkett adviser Misty Bower will share practical advice to help you turn your project into a success. ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/your-community-owned-business-from-idea-to-reality-tickets-1091115749579

In its current form, the Land Reform Bill does not do enough to modernise Scotland’s archaic and dysfunctional land market. In this report, we outline an ambitious agenda to diversify land ownership, tackle the housing crisis and deliver a just transition.

www.scotsman.com/news/opinion... Excellent piece from @joycemcm.bsky.social Making the case for the restoration of genuine local democracy

Important call from @localpeoplelead.bsky.social, reporting on the recent Revive Coalition conference, to "build a movement on such a scale that the momentum for change becomes unstoppable" on Land Reform in Scotland us2.campaign-archive.com?e=ef81948bc4...

If you want to catch up with an 11 min talk about where we are with land reform in Scotland, you can watch my presentation to the revive.scot conference on 11 November (starts 4:01:07 www.youtube.com/live/b4v0co7...

Community Shares investment opportunity! Check it out! 👀 Morebattle, in the Scottish Borders, is seeking to buy their local pub and create a thriving hub for their local community. Non-resident investors welcome too 😊 #morethanapub @plunkettuk.bsky.social www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

How does battery energy storage at scale on greenfield sites fit with a just transition? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’m uninspired by the land reform bill going through Holyrood. It’s aspiration without teeth. As the Stornoway Gazette summarises Peter Peacock, ex-leader of Highland Council: “Landlords have learned how to play the system while the process is so bureaucratic as to be unusable.” Fix it!

Thank you to @scotparl.bsky.social Net Zero Committee for inviting me to give oral evidence yesterday on Land Reform Bill. You can read the Official Report of proceedings here. www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore...

While areas of the Land Reform Bill are welcome, as currently drafted the Bill won’t make a significant material change. Our Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social giving evidence at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the need to transform land ownership, governance and use.

Brilliant podcast about the connections between local food production, the land and communities in the Scottish Borders foodscapepodcast.substack.com

Last week, the Scottish Government published its latest report on community ownership showing that an amazing 533 communities owned land and buildings by the end of 2023! They own 840 assets including 208,597 hectares of land between them 🥳 www.gov.scot/publications...

This pack is a super useful springboard onto bluesky thanks so much @jamesmackl.bsky.social