Land reform in Scotland today
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Land reform is about who owns Scotland’s land, how it is used, and how the benefits from it are shared.
It is about making sure that land contributes to a fair, green and thriving country for the people who live and work here now, and for future generations.
Land reform is not one piece of legislation. It is an ongoing programme of change in law, policy and practice that continues to shape how land is owned, managed and governed.
Land reform in Scotland has a long history, shaped by ongoing debates about who owns land, who benefits from it, and how it is used.
The creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 marked a new chapter. It gave Scotland the power to make its own laws on land and to take forward land reform in a modern way.
Since then, a series of important laws have helped to build a fairer and more open system for owning and managing land:
Land Reform (Scotland) Act
Gave communities the first right to buy land and buildings for local benefit. It also introduced new public access rights to most land and inland water for recreation and passage, and created the crofting community right to buy, allowing crofting communities to take ownership of croft land and common grazings.
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act
Strengthened community rights to buy land, including the power to take ownership of abandoned, neglected or detrimental land where this would bring local benefit. It also placed new duties on public bodies to make better use of their land and buildings and to involve communities more in decision-making.
Land Reform (Scotland) Act
Established the Scottish Land Commission and the role of the Tenant Farming Commissioner. The Act also increased transparency and accountability in land ownership and management and strengthened the framework for taking forward land reform in Scotland.
Land Reform (Scotland) Act
Introduced new measures to regulate large-scale landholdings, improve transparency over land sales, and expand community rights to buy. The Act also committed to regular review of land reform legislation recognising that Scotland’s land system must continue to evolve to meet public needs and ambitions.
The Scottish Land Commission provides evidence, advice and practical guidance to government, landowners, communities and businesses to keep land reform moving forward.
We work on issues such as:
of people who responded to our ScotLand Futures survey told us that Scotland needs change in how land is owned and used.
How land reform connects to everyday life
Land reform is about more than ownership, it shapes how land supports Scotland’s homes, economy, environment and communities.
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