Land Matters - …the blog and website of Andy Wightman

Craiganour Estate has got away with a criminal offence

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Andy Wightman

In my blog yesterday, I reported a breach of rules introduced to improve transparency in landownership. I have reported the matter to Police and will be reporting back here on progress. Meanwhile, I am pleased to publish this guest blog

Who Owns North Glenbuchat Estate?

Posted on May 6, 2025May 6, 2025 by Andy Wightman

The above image was taken in 2014 in connection with a police raid at that time. On 2 May 2025, Police Scotland issued the following statement. Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences following enquiries

Gender Recognition Reform and the Supreme Court

Posted on May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by Andy Wightman

The Supreme Court decision in For Women Scotland vs Scottish Ministers ruled that the protected characteristic of sex (being male or female) in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex and not that certified via a Gender Recognition Certificate under

ECHR and the Discriminatory Impacts of Late Registration

Posted on March 28, 2025March 29, 2025 by Andy Wightman

In the section at the end of my previous blog, I highlighted how the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) does not simply extend existing opportunities for community bodies to make late registration applications under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act

Clan Donald and the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Posted on March 27, 2025March 31, 2025 by Andy Wightman

UPDATE 28 March 2025 – the Clan Donald Estate is now being advertised at offers over £6,750,000. A sales brochure can be downloaded here (2.9Mb pdf). The Stage One debate on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill took place on Wednesday

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill Stage One debate

Posted on March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 by Andy Wightman

I have prepared a brieifng for MSPs ahead of the Stage One debate on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill on Wednesday 26 March 2025. You can download a copy here.

Who Owns Scotlands 2024

Posted on March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 by Andy Wightman

Today I have published what I plan to be an annual analysis of who owns Scotland. The Who Owns Scotland 2024 report is based on an analysis of data from the Who Owns Scotland website as at 31 January 2025.

Land Speculation at Camster Burn in Caithness

Posted on March 13, 2025March 19, 2025 by Andy Wightman

Scottish Land and Estates has argued in recent years that large-scale landholdings are best placed to deliver public policy objectives associated with woodland expansion, peatland restoration and other large scale projects. Scale can help of course but it is nonsense

Where now for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill?

Posted on March 3, 2025March 5, 2025 by Andy Wightman

INTRODUCTION The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee has now completed taking evidence as part of its Stage One scrutiny of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. This concluded with evidence from the Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, on Tuesday 18 February.

Is Gresham House the third largest landowner in Scotland?

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Andy Wightman

Gresham House Ltd. a private limited company (No. 00000871) incorporated in 1857. It is an asset management company wholly owned by SeedBidCo Ltd, a company registered in Guernsey. The ultimate controlling part is Searchlight Capital Partners III SED, a limited

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