Land

Official statistics published 20 June have revealed that Scotland has created the highest number of new woodland for 34 years.

The figures also show that nearly 75% of all new woodland throughout the UK were established in Scotland last year.

SRUC have today (24 June) published the third instalment of the Rural Land Market Insights Report series with the Scottish Land Commission (SLC).

This year's report draws on in-depth interviews with 17 land agents from a range of sectors (agriculture, forestry and estates) operating across Scotland. The interviews highlighted a year of challenges and growing caution in the Scottish land market.

Scottish Forestry are funding a limited number of free Farm Woodland Assessments within the Central Scotland Green Network, which covers an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west to Fife and the Lothians in the east.

The assessments will allow farmers the opportunity to assess their landholding for potential planting with no future obligations.

MSPs have backed legislation that will transform how the Scottish Government supports farming and food production.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill will ensure the Scottish Government can help farmers and crofters to produce more food more sustainably, supporting their essential role in climate mitigation and nature restoration. It will allow for a framework of payments that is responsive to the sector’s needs.

The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) ‘Growing Food Together’ Fund is once again offering a cash boost to community growing projects across the whole of Scotland.

Work to develop Scotland's Rural Delivery Plan (RDP) continues to be taken forward by Scottish Government and helping to inform this programme is the work of the Rural Exchange.

A consultation has been launched by the Scottish Government to identify ways to support the future of crofting across rural and island Scotland.