Yesterday I attended the launch of the Scottish Land and Estates research paper on the contribution rural estates make to Scotland's wellbeing economy. If you have a spare half an hour, then you can read it in full here.
Many of you will have heard me talk about the importance of celebrating achievements before we ask 'what's next', and this piece of research does precisely that. It doesn't claim there isn't more to be done or that there isn't an appetite to do more, but it helps us to recognise how much is already being done, something that has been missing from the land reform debate thus far. The research was managed by Biggar Economics, a well-known and well-respected organisation working across many sectors to identify economic impacts. Interestingly this particular piece of research was headed by Shona Glenn, formerly Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, who was well versed in the land use versus land ownership debate and the impact land and how it is used can have on surrounding communities. In Shona's presentation to gathered politicians, media, academics and wider stakeholders, she not only identified some of the significant contributions made by Scottish landowners but also stressed how pleased she was to hear a desire from existing landowners to do more. She also identified that this was the first group to look at their contribution to the wellbeing economy in this way, and Tom Arthur MSP identified it as "groundbreaking". The report identifies that Rural Estates have a 'significant' impact on seven of Scotland's 11 National Outcomes, highlighting their contribution to the environmental, economic and community outcomes as 'particularly large'. So let me give you a whistle-stop tour of what the report identifies rural estates are currently contributing:
After the initial presentation, questions were received from the floor, with the Financial Times exploring the impacts of scale - the message was clear - net zero will not happen without significant scale ownership - which presumably is why the Scottish Government is the largest land owner in Scotland and continues to buy more! Through my clients and my experiences working with Scottish Land and Estates and Buccleuch, I have witnessed the overwhelmingly positive attitude of landowners who want to create thriving rural businesses that benefit all. Like many I get frustrated when sweeping anecdotal statements are made that aren't backed up in fact, and I am delighted that I (and many others) can now back up my anecdotal statements about the incredible initiatives taking place across with country with data! So now we have done some celebrating, by all means let's look at what we can do better or how we can help others to learn from some of the existing projects already out there. I can't wait to see the stats next time!
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