Today 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

TFC – Island Visits Rob Black & Peter McDougall will be on Bute this evening and on Islay on 18–19 Feb, attending STFA meetings. They’re keen to meet tenant farmers and landlords informally during the day to hear about experiences of tenancy and the sector more widely. [email protected]

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

Recommended read: In addition to land use shaping the climate, climate change is now increasingly “changing the land”, according to satellite monitoring by @worldresources.bsky.social, creating a “dangerous feedback loop”.

A last blog for the year - some land reform reflections as 2025 draws to a close: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

Voices from Scotland, part of our ScotLand Futures initiative, brings together perspectives from across the country on the outcomes land reform should deliver for people, nature and the economy. Thank you to everyone who contributed. buff.ly/fQInQXT

Our Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 is out this week. In a new blog, Research Officer Julie Rostan explains what the latest data tells us, and why hidden sale prices could be masking the true scale of Scotland’s rural land market. buff.ly/o1U1oLd

New Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 shows Scotland’s rural land market continued to cooled in 2024: 🌲 Forestry prices down to £10,054/ha - a drop of 34% from 2023 🏘️ Only 6 large-scale estate sales - a 5 year low 🚜Farmland prices rose slightly to an average of £16,502/ha buff.ly/0AC0lVI

Today's ScotLand Futures publications capture views from a wide mix of people across Scotland and show a strong appetite for further changes in how land is owned and used. In the new year we'll be sharing the Commission's own thinking on the next big steps in Scotland's land reform journey.

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

New research with WPI Economics shows Scotland could learn from global best practice to build a fairer, greener land tax system. www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/68...

In Part 3 of our ScotLand Futures blog series, four new contributors share their insights on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Scotland’s land reform journey, from national policy gaps to community empowerment, private land stewardship, & the power of partnership. buff.ly/XHmvvVW

📍 We’ve been to Wick and Dumfries, and now we’re heading to Stornoway. Join our Chair, Chief Exec and Commissioners for a public meeting to talk about the land issues that matter most to your community. 📅 7pm, Wednesday 8 October 📍 The Bayhead Bridge Centre, HS1 2EB 🎟️ buff.ly/61xO2dx

The Highlands Reimagined podcast asks what it takes for young people to stay & thrive in Mackay Country. In the final episode, Commissioner Lucy Beattie reflects on land reform, community power, and how a more transparent, diverse system of land ownership can open up opportunities: buff.ly/RlGQCPV

Can tax support climate and land reform goals? We’ve published interim advice on how tax could: ✔️ cut land-based carbon emissions ✔️ support wider land reform ✔️ raise revenue for national priorities Read our advice here: buff.ly/dDuS27A

A good afternoon with our @scottishlandcom.bsky.social board at Forsinard. Many thanks to @rspbscotland.bsky.social for insights into lots of good work going on in the Flow Country.

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...

The @scottishlandcom.bsky.social meets in Wick next week and will be holding a public meeting there & then elsewhere over the next few weeks

Some more and varied contributions on the question of what it would look like to complete Scotland's land reform journey - the question asked by our #ScotLandFutures initiative.

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

What can land reform do for urban Scotland? Join our expert panel to explore housing, climate, and community power in towns and cities. 📅 28 August | 🕓 4pm - 4:50pm | 💻 Zoom 🔗 buff.ly/P0cbP15 #ScotLandFutures

'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. 👇

The first in a series of contributions sharing different perspectives on what it would mean to complete Scotland's land reform journey #ScotLandFutures

📢 We’re hiring a Head of Practice and Advice! Shape land reform in Scotland, lead our Good Practice Programme, and support responsible land ownership. 📍 Inverness (hybrid) 💼 Permanent, 35h (flex/part-time considered) 💷 £56,382 - £69,018 Apply by 1 Aug. Interviews 13/14 Aug. 🔗 buff.ly/sWj6qcC

What should the future of Scotland’s land look like? As part of ScotLand Futures, we’ve been hearing views from across Scotland about what matters in land ownership and use, and the destination for land reform. There’s still time to add your voice to the national conversation. buff.ly/uA0WoVL

Great opportunity to join our @scottishlandcom.bsky.social team in a leadership role as Head of Practice & Advice, leading our work advising land owners, managers and communities. Happy to have a chat with anyone interested in applying👇

New analysis from the Scottish Land Commission and SRUC reveals the rural land market is showing signs of cooling. The 2025 Land Market Insights Report, launched today, uncovers how economic uncertainty is reshaping land sales and investment across Scotland. Read the report 👉 buff.ly/1z1xjoy

📢 #ScotLandFutures panellists announced We’re bringing together voices from across Scotland’s land sector for a big conversation on the future of land reform at the Royal Highland Show next week. 👀 See the lineup and livestream info: www.landcommission.gov.scot/news-events/...

Good to talk with Neil about the core role of land in community wealth building. How we own and use land is central to local economies as well as the national picture.

📌 New research contract notice: Approaches to land valuation in the tax system We’re commissioning research to explore how other countries value land for tax purposes looking at how land valuation data is gathered, used, and applied in tax systems internationally. 🔗 Full details: buff.ly/DUxLXdq

🚜 Farmers, crofters, landowners - we need your voice Tenant Farming Manager Peter MacDougall explains why it’s vital the people who work the land, or support those who do, are properly represented in the ScotLand Futures - a conversation on the future of land reform in Scotland. 💬 buff.ly/A19aA0o

Crofting is an important part of Scotland's land system, one that can deliver on many opportunities for rural Scotland. The Crofting Commission is now recruiting for two new board members👇 crofting.scotland.gov.uk/recruitment-...

What would it look like to complete Scotland's land reform journey? My blog reflects on the themes and ideas coming out in early discussions in our new ScotLand Futures initiative:

What would it look like to complete Scotland's land reform journey? We'd like to hear your thoughts 👇

🚜 Tenant Farming Webinar – Meet the new TFC 🗓️ 14 May | ⏰ 12–1pm Join us to meet Rob Black, the new Tenant Farming Commissioner, and hear about his priorities and the changes ahead. Peter MacDougall will also share how the Commission supports tenants and landlords. 🔗 Sign up: buff.ly/rfHX8EX

Great opportunity to join our @scottishlandcom.bsky.social team, lead our research and data analysis and develop research collaborations 👇

A guest blog by Amanda Bryan on new practical guidance on delivering benefits for local communities through investment in nature:

Eigg's crofters & Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust have been exploring how #communityownership can strengthen & grow #crofting. Read @epybus.bsky.social report on how collaboration & support can secure Eigg's crofting future bit.ly/FutureCroft @scottishlandcom.bsky.social @communitylandsc.bsky.social

Great to go and see the 'Where We Stand' exhibition this morning in #Grantown museum - exploring Scotland's community land ownership journey @communitylandsc.bsky.social

Fantastic to see Scotland's newest route to community ownership taking effect! www.scottishlegal.com/articles/chu...

Very good that Scotland's Just Transition Commission is scrutinising the challenge on a place basis - clear conclusions on land use and housing here: www.justtransition.scot/publication/...

Kickstart your career with a Modern Apprenticeship! The Scottish Land Commission is hiring a Business Support Assistant in Inverness. Gain real-world experience while earning a fully funded SVQ3 in Business Admin. 📅 Apply by 21 April 2025 👉 www.landcommission.gov.scot/work-for-us

🌲 Exciting news, the Scottish Land Commission and @cairngormsnews.bsky.social have appointed Annabel Davidson Knight as Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, the first role of its kind in Scotland!

A good blog from new Tenant Farming Commissioner Rob Black reflecting on some basic questions. Better data on tenant farming will help all parties make good decisions.

New guide giving insights & examples of collaborative land ownership & management. Land ownership & management doesn't have to be in a box of private, public, NGO or community - lots of opportunities to build diverse governance and increase impact in doing so.

BBC News - Scottish Wildlife Trust buys Inverbroom Estate near Ullapool - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our rural land market analysis is cited in this @nytimes.com article on the Land Reform Bill: "Between 2020 and 2022, the value of rural land jumped by as much as 58 percent in some areas." Our latest report is here: shorturl.at/wB9VK www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/r... @scottishlandcom.bsky.social

Impressive 5 year action plan by @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social. Clear, open and straightforward in both what's planned and the engagement that shapes it.

OUT NOW! New report for @scottishlandcom.bsky.social, by Gareth James, @madhusatsangi.bsky.social and Victoria Lawson of @housingevidence.bsky.social, calls on public bodies to do more to address #Scotland’s rural #housing crisis. REPORT:

Good to talk rural housing with @scottishhousingnews.com podcast, along with @ailsaraeburn.bsky.social Our report published this week urges more active use of public land acquisition to support housing delivery.