Call for new voices to have their say on land reform

Pupils of Tobermory High School exploring how decisions about land are made during a MYLAND.SCOT workshop

The Scottish Land Commission is seeking input from new voices and those of the tech savvy, environmentally aware and entrepreneurially minded Generation Z to help shape its strategy for the way land is owned and used in Scotland.

The views of young people, especially those still at school or studying, are a vital part of the Commission’s long-term planning for a fair, inclusive and valuable system of land ownership and use that delivers greater benefit for Scotland’s people. It is a vision that covers issues that young people care about or which will directly affect them, such as affordable housing, health and wellbeing, the climate crisis or enterprise opportunities.

The Commission is working with icecream architecture to carry out focus groups with young people in both rural and urban Scotland, and promoting an interactive (and fun) online survey that will test assumptions, measure attitudes and encourage young people to share their aspirations for the future of Scotland’s land.

Hamish Trench, Chief Executive at the Land Commission, said:

“The land beneath our feet affects so much of life in Scotland and in the long term, land decisions made today will affect young people the most.

“We want to identify the land issues that are important to young people across Scotland to help shape the Commission’s next strategic plan.

“Importantly, we want as many young people as possible to understand that they can influence how land reform will develop and respond to issues that concern them. The way land is owned and used affects the quality of life for everyone in Scotland. The voices of young people are incredibly important to our long-term ambitions.”

The Commission is driving a programme of land reform to improve the productivity, diversity and accountability of the way Scotland's land is owned and used. Views of young people and the many other groups and sectors who are regularly consulted will all shape the Commission’s next strategic plan.

The online survey is open for anyone to take part and can be found at myland.scot