Storm Isha: Look for the ones who are helping...

As a flurry of emails and social posts jump back and forth from my land owning clients this morning about all the work that has already taken place this morning following last night's storm - work that aims to keep their employees and tenants safe as well as members of the public taking recreational access to these land holdings, I am reminded of the immense amount of work and commitment that goes in to owning and maintaining land. One weather warning and tomorrow's to-do list go out the window or grow considerably. Plans for meetings are exchanged for 'all hands on deck' to make repairs, check animals and keep others safe, and this is before we factor in the many requests from surrounding communities to help clear debris, tow abandoned vehicles and share kit outwith their patch.

With land and property management comes great responsibility and cost; it isn't all about commercial gain; it is the capacity to drop everything and fix problems to create safe environments for others. So as many of us stay warm and safe this morning, abiding by Police Scotland's request not to travel (and I include myself in that), let's consider for a second that, yes, there are lots of benefits for those who own and manage land. Still, there is also a great deal of work and responsibility to ensure the well-being of many, so let's look for the ones that are helping and maybe show a touch of appreciation. After all, they protect our access to amenity land, food supply, biodiversity and climate - yet I am not exactly sure what I have done to be allowed to call it mine!!

Stay safe out there!