We are lucky to have world-class access rights in Scotland. The Right to Roam allows people to access land, lakes and rivers for exercise and recreation. These resources cover the history of land reform in Scotland, the responsibilities that come with public access and look to the future of land ownership, including community ownership. Access & Ownership is related especially to Housing, Education, Energy and Biodiversity, but plays into discussions around all aspects of land use in Scotland.

Key Policies in Scotland

The Scottish Government policies on land reform, addressing responsible and equitable land ownership and use.

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Land Reform Act 2003

The Land Reform Act (2003) and accompanying guidance for local authorities and national parks.

Land Reform Act 2016

The Land Reform Act 2016 created the Scottish Land Commission and expanded on community land buyout legislation: the community right to buy for sustainable development.

Guidance for Local Authorities and National Parks

The Land Reform Act was a ground-breaking piece of legislation that enshrined the ‘right to roam’ in law and introduced the community right to buy.

Community Empowerment Act 2015

A summary of the Community Empowerment Act. The Act aims to help empower community bodies through the ownership or control of land and buildings, and by strengthening their voices in decisions about public services.

Land Reform Net Zero Scotland

A new consultation on land reform has opened this summer (closing 25 September 2022). Read more about the new Land Reform Bill in a Net Zero Nation and complete the consultation to share your views!

Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement

The Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement was a key element of the Land Reform Act 2016. It underpins the government’s policy and actions relating to land, and other landowners (e.g. local authorities or private landowners) are encouraged to consider how they might utilise the statement in their own decision-making.

Open Letter

Open letter to the Cabinet Secretary on the Land Reform Bill 2024 by a coalition of organisations and individuals with a belief in the potential for land reform to bring transformational change across a wide range of policy areas.

Renewal and repopulation?

Reports on land reform, ownership and demographic change in Scotland.

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Repeopling Emptied Places

James Hunter’s report for the Land Commission on ‘Repeopling Emptied Places: reflections on the significance and the enduring legacy of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act 1919.

Tax on Land and Property

Information from the Land Commission on how land and property tax can help achieve land reform - including a general overview, and more detailed publications addressed to Scottish Ministers.

Demographic Change in Remote Areas

The James Hutton Institute’s multidisciplinary research on demographic change in remote areas.

Carbon Markets, Public Interest and Landownership in Scotland

Land Commission discussion paper on ‘Carbon Markets, Public Interest and Landownership in Scotland’ by Dr Jill Robbie & Dr Giedre Jokubauskaite. This paper discusses three key issues: environmental impact of carbon markets, inclusion in decision making and the distribution of benefits of carbon trading.

A short film (Vimeo) on ‘Stories of Radical Land Ownership’, focussing on rural and urban communities including the North Harris Trust, the Iona Development Trust and Southwest Mull.

King O the Wood by Iain Fraser

Community Perspectives

Community Land Scotland evaluation of the Land Reform Bill 2024

Land Reform Bill 2024 – Stage 1 Evidence.

Beyond community benefit – a new deal for thriving communities

Community Land Scotland envisages Thriving Community Partnership deals delivering across a range of fronts, including community ownership of key land assets within a wider land holding.