Alyth Hill Commonty
In my forthcoming book, The Poor had no Lawyers, I tell the story of the unlawful alienation of the Hill of Alyth commonty. I will shortly be preparing a full legal analysis of the case. In short, land was sold
Continue readingLochhead and Moore to work closely on crown land rights
Good news today that Richard Lochhead has met with Secretary of State Michael Moore and they have agreed to work together to bring more accountability to how the Crown Estate Commission (CEC) manange the crown estate in Scotland. This could
Continue readingCrown Estate debate moves forward
An interesting statement from Alex Salmond this afternoon in the Scottish Government’s statement on its legislative programme. The relevant part of his statement is as follows (as published on the Scottish government website). And we are blessed not just with
Continue readingThe Poor had no Lawyers II
CLICK HERE for PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER [outdated link March 2024] Signed hardback copies dispatched post free to the UK together with a free one-month subscription to www.whoownsscotland.org.uk for all orders placed by 17 September 2010. The Poor Had No Lawyers provides
Continue readingOne of the biggest land grabs in history
Well, today’s the day. Exactly 450 years ago the Scots nobility sat down in Parliament in Edinburgh and passed a series of acts which neutered the power of the Catholic church and ushered in the Reformation. Two years ago I
Continue readingMachrihanish II
Having had time to digest the recent decision to refuse the right to buy to the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (see post of 13th August) I am astounded at both the decision and the implications. It has become very evident
Continue readingThe Poor had no Lawyers I
I am now in the final stages of editing and proof reading of my next book to be published by Birlinn in October. Titled ‘The Poor had no Lawyers. Who owns Scotland (and how they got it)’, it seeks to
Continue readingClosing down the debate
I’ve always though of Scotland as a pretty conservative country. Its institutions and its culture do not seem receptive or open to radical ideas. Individuals of course are a different matter and there are hundreds of them with wonderful ideas
Continue readingMachrihanish I
Scottish Ministers gave notice on Wednesday 11 August of their refusal to consent to the application by the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company to acquire the redundant Machrihanish airbase in Argyll. In a long and detailed Refusal Notice, Ministers explain their
Continue readingCrown Estate Rothesay case
The Court of Session has today published the Opinion in the case of the Crown Estate Commissioners seeking declarator that they have authority to impose charges for the rent of the seabed. This was opposed by those who claimed that
Continue reading