Evidence and insights on Scotland’s land and its impact
The Scottish Land Commission’s work is grounded in evidence. Our research helps explain how land shapes Scotland’s economy, environment and communities and what can be done to make ownership and use fairer and more productive.
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Interim advice on how tax could support land reform and reduce carbon emissions from land
From December 2024 until spring 2026, the Scottish Land Commission and Scottish Government are identifying and assessing options for the role tax could play in supporting land reform and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from land.
Approaches to land valuation in the tax system
WPI Economics was commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission to explore how land and property are valued for taxation purposes internationally.
Rural Land Market Data Report 2025
Analysis of land sales data from 2020-2024.
Scottish Land Commission response to the Land Use, Agriculture and Just Transition Plan
Scottish Land Commission response to the Land Use, Agriculture and Just Transition Plan
Summary: Key findings from the 2024 review of vacant and derelict land
In October 2020 the Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce published a series of recommendations to support productive re-use of land. This followed two years of work analysing the challenge of vacant land.
Research Summary: Principles for Natural Resource Governance
Research by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) for the Commission looked at various governance models in Scotland and abroad, offering valuable lessons for land governance.
Response to the Call for Views on the Land Reform Bill issued by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Scottish Land Commission response to the Call for Views on the Land Reform Bill issued by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee 2024
Vacant and Derelict Land Reuse: Progress Report
Ryden was appointed by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) to report on progress with the reuse of Scotland�s vacant & derelict land (VDL). Building upon the reduction of VDL as a policy priority, SLC and SEPA�s VDL Taskforce were established in 2018, Ryden reported in detail on Scotland�s VDL in 2019, and the Taskforce�s recommendations were published in 2020.
Analysis of mechanisms and governance approaches to securing public value from natural resources
The following report brings together two phases of work commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission which has sought to identify enablers and barriers in mechanisms for natural resource management.
Rural Land Market Insights Report 2024
An overview of the rural land market in Scotland in 2023 exploring the main drivers in the market.
Natural Resource Governance: Case Studies
Case studies compiled by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies: Eleanor Radcliffe, Sean Benstead, Charlie Murphy, Joseph Tupling, Naomi Mason
Land Focus: Access to land for small scale ownership, management and use
The Scottish Land Commission sees significant potential for exploring how opportunities to access land for small scale ownership, management and use could be created.
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