THOSE WHO OWN BIG ESTATES MUST ENSURE LAND IS USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SCOTLAND, SAYS SNP MSP

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has claimed in Parliament that those who own multi-million-pound estates have a responsibility to ensure the wider community benefits from the land.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is currently going through the Scottish Parliament having been introduced in March this year, aims to reform the law around large landholdings and certain types of leases of land.

Commenting after speaking in Parliament, Emma said:

“While there are some good examples of landowners using the natural capital of their land well, that is not a given.   If you can afford to buy an estate that costs millions of pounds, you can afford to ensure that the land is used well for the benefit of the country as a whole.

“We know that there is land across Scotland, currently with little or no purpose, that could be used by communities. The Land Reform Bill would empower communities who can do more with it to bring that land into public ownership and ensure decisions over Scotland’s land use is not just made by those with the most money.

“I look forward to working on the Land Reform Bill as it progresses through Parliament to ensure that land is being used to benefit those who live here in Scotland.”