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

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

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...

When it’s developers v people, usually the money wins. I saw how one community came out on top | Jason Okundaye

Why land reform matters more than ever

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.

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. 

Enjoyed this round-up and debates about the council tax surcharge: a gateway to something else or failure to be bolder with revaluation? Some interesting ideas around the policy aims of EV tax, too.

Thank you to everyone who took part in our ScotLand Futures survey. More than 1,200 people shared their views, and 96% told us Scotland still needs further action on land reform 👇 buff.ly/tSiMkVO

The power of investing in place-based collaboration.. Great also to see the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme play its part in Govan’s regeneration journey (set up in response to the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social’s Vacant & Derelict Land Taskforce advice).

We’re pleased to welcome Sarah Madden & Kathie Pollard to senior roles helping drive Scotland’s land reform agenda at a pivotal time. Sarah becomes Head of Practice and Advice, and Kathie steps into Head of Policy. buff.ly/ORrXIyc

🌍 New SEFARI Gateway Fellowship Opportunity - Exploring the Future of Community Land Ownership in Scotland.

Lots of talk about taxing land today at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conference and mention of our work. Why is it a good idea and how could it be done? www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/61...

For the next Authors of Urbanism event we'll hear from Johnny Rodger whose recent book examines representations of Housing in the medium of Film. Join us on Tuesday 18 November in Glasgow to find out more and connect with fellow urbanists. More info and tickets at www.theaou.org/events/autho...

📌 Scotland takes important step towards fairer use and ownership of land Scottish Land Commission statement on the passing of the Land Reform Bill

If we want land to play a greater role in the tax system, we need to think about what the supporting tax infrastructure needs to do.

Lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, according to a new report

Princes Street, Edinburgh

We’ve published a new report on what Scotland can learn from how other countries value land and property for tax. In this Scotonomics episode, lead author Matt Beebee and our Head of Policy, Kathie Pollard, speak with host William Thomson about the findings. ▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXFa...

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.

How could Scotland go about modernising the way land and property is taxed? New report published today on how other countries value land and property for tax purposes.

“Its supporters said that guaranteeing all the profits were kept on Orkney, to fund local services, had made a critical difference in winning public support.”

Get your tickets now!

Portobello, Edinburgh.

Thoughts on Scotland’s latest land use strategy

Scotland’s tax system can be a force for fairness, if we choose to use it that way. Ahead of tomorrow’s #TaxJusticeScotland Conference, here @jamie-livingstone.bsky.social explains why bold tax reform matters for everyone ⬇️ Read more: bit.ly/47aytEO #CPW25 #ScotlandDemandsBetter

amateurish reporting that uncritically reproduces pseudoscientific and eugenic frames @politico.com must retract this piece and issue an apology for using damaging and offensive phrases like the ‘autism problem’

New publication 👇🏼

📢 Our popular land agents CPD series is back! Land: Why collaborate? Monday 22 Sept from 12pm – 1pm. This session will explore the benefits and challenges of partnership working in land management. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/land-why-c...

Why land, community and not just the "me" but the "we" matter - here's the text of my Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Scotland. And if you want to share your thoughts, please do so with the Scottish Land Commission's ScotLand Futures by Saturday, at: www.landcommission.gov.scot/scotland-fut...

📊Who has the greatest untapped potential to drive urban land reform? ▶️ Local authorities and agencies - 29% ▶️ Scottish Government - 26% ▶️ Community organisations - 23% ▶️ Public landowners - 13% ▶️ Private developers - 3% ▶️ UK Government - 3% ▶️ None of the above - 3%

📊Which of the following is the biggest barrier to urban land reform? ▶️ Political will - 42% ▶️ Complexity of land ownership - 23% ▶️ Lack of public sector powers or capacity - 16% ▶️ Fiscal disincentives (e.g. tax, subsidies) - 13% ▶️ Land banking/speculation - 3% ▶️ None of the above - 3%

We had a fantastic response to our recent panel on what land reform can do for urban Scotland 👏 Land reform is often seen as a rural issue but the level of interest shows an appetite to focus on the land challenges facing our towns and cities. 🎥 Watch back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rylb...

What would it look like to Scotland’s land reform journey? In Part 2 of our ScotLand Futures blog series, four contributors offer fresh perspectives on ownership, legislation and the future of land reform. Read and watch our latest contributions: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

Interesting investigation and use of data!

“It's not local and it doesn't govern” @andywightman.scot says as the discussion opens at #FoP2025 Is the current structure of local government fit for the next 30 years? 👇 Join the discussion👇

We’re hitting the road! This autumn, the Scottish Land Commission is hosting public meetings across Scotland. We will be in: 📍 Wick, Dumfries, Stornoway and Aberdeen 🎟️ Booking open for Wick and Dumfries | Booking coming soon for Stornoway and Aberdeen buff.ly/X435eDE

Excited for this! @hannawheatley.bsky.social @cdoyle34.bsky.social @academyofurbanism.bsky.social @drcarolinebrown.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social @neilmcinroy.bsky.social @planningaidscot.bsky.social

🌊 How can art inspire the ocean protection our planet desperately needs? This August in Geneva, artist Benjamin Von Wong unveils "The Thinker's Burden" — a 6-meter installation that will be gradually buried in plastic waste during the Global #PlasticsTreaty negotiations. 1/3 #INC52

Still time to sign up to tomorrow’s walking tour along the Glasgow canal!

'To meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, how we use our land is fundamental. Right now, it is not fair for humans, or nature.' Read more from LINK's @naturepower.bsky.social and the other contributors to this thought-provoking series on Scotland's land reform journey. 👇

At long last, England is getting a Community Right to Buy! Last week the Govt published its English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, with new powers for community buyouts (right of first refusal; 12 months to raise £) However, the Bill contains a flaw: 1/ bills.parliament.uk/bills/4002

🌱 Lower timber prices. Less carbon project demand. More land for renewables. Our new report Rural Land Market Insights Report reveals what’s driving Scotland’s land market. Find out what this means for land use and policy: 🔗 buff.ly/eACCzYm

🚨 We’re hiring: Head of Practice and Advice Lead our Good Practice team and help shape how land is owned and used across Scotland. 💼 Permanent | £56,382–£69,018 📍 Inverness (hybrid) | 35hrs, flexible/part-time options 📅 Apply by 5pm, Fri 1 Aug 🗓 Interviews: 13–14 Aug, Inverness 🔗 buff.ly/hiKmIey

great to see @dpcarrington.bsky.social reporting on corporate capture and conflicts of interest (and very cool to see our paper on the ‘petrochemical bloc’ cited)

“Everyday innovation for social good”