The Bill aims to address long-standing concerns about the highly concentrated pattern of land ownership in rural areas of Scotland.

Proposed measures include:

• The introduction of a public interest test for transfers of large-scale landholdings
• A requirement on owners of large-scale holdings to give prior notice to community bodies of their intention to sell
• A requirement on those seeking land-based subsidies to have the land registered in the Land Register, to ensure transparency around who benefits from public funding

In addition, the consultation asks questions about how to ensure communities benefit from future investment in Scotland’s natural capital, and that there is greater transparency around land and asset ownership.

As well as the consultation, the Minister for Environment and Land Reform will also be attending a series of public meetings around the country to discuss the legislation. The meetings will take place between 6:00pm and 8:00pm at the following venues:

The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm on Wednesday 20 July 2022

Glenmoriston Millenium Hall, Invermoriston on Monday 25 July 2022

Timespan, Helmsdale on Tuesday 26 July 2022

Stornoway Town Hall, Stornoway on Wednesday 27 July 2022

There will also be an online event between 6:30pm and 8:00pm on Thursday 21 July 2022

Find out more about these events, including how to register, here: https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/land-reform-net-zero-scotland/

You can respond to the consultation, which closes on 25 September 2022, via the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/land-reform-net-zero-nation-consultation-paper/