Evidence and insights on Scotland’s land and its impact
The Scottish Land Commission’s work is grounded in evidence. Our research helps explain how land shapes Scotland’s economy, environment and communities and what can be done to make ownership and use fairer and more productive.
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Rural Land Market Insights 2026 Policy Briefing
Policy briefing accompanying the Rural Land Market Insights Report 2026, outlining the key themes, trends and policy implications emerging from Scotland’s rural land market during 2025. The briefing examines market confidence, fiscal and public policy impacts, natural capital investment, farmland trends, rural residential demand and future land reform considerations.
Rural Land Market Insights Report 2026
Annual report analysing trends, confidence and activity in Scotland’s rural land market during 2025, based on interviews with land agents across the farmland, forestry, estates and natural capital sectors. The report examines market performance, supply and demand, investor behaviour, policy impacts and emerging long-term trends.
SEFARI Fellowship to understand changes in demand for largescale community land acquisitions and identify barriers and solutions to new acquisitions
This report examines trends in largescale community land acquisition in Scotland, finding that the recent slowdown in acquisitions is driven more by increasing barriers than by reduced community interest.
ScotLand Futures: Qualitative analysis of survey responses
This analysis examined the responses to the ScotLand Futures online survey hosted on the Scottish Land Commission website between May and September 2025. The 1,236 responses revealed that land-related questions remain a complex source of debate in Scotland.
Next steps for land reform summary
Companion document to the Scottish Land Commission’s Next steps for land reform publication providing a high level summary of priorities and actions to support land reform in Scotland.
Next steps for land reform
Next steps for land reform outlines the priorities for land reform and what changes need to happen to help achieve a fair land system in Scotland.
Tax options for reducing emissions from land and supporting land reform
Building on our previous advice, the Scottish Land Commission have explored options for taxing emissions from land and considered the potential for a carbon land tax with a focus on peatland.
Na ceumannan a leanas airson ath-leasachadh Fearainn
Available in Gaelic, this is a companion document to the Scottish Land Commission’s Next steps for land reform publication provides a high level summary of priorities and actions needed to support land reform in Scotland.
Interim advice on how tax could support land reform and reduce carbon emissions from land
From December 2024 until spring 2026, the Scottish Land Commission and Scottish Government are identifying and assessing options for the role tax could play in supporting land reform and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from land.
What we heard: A national call for change
More than 1,200 people took part in ScotLand Futures — individuals, communities, landowners, farmers, tenants and organisations across rural and urban Scotland. The response was remarkable in its consistency: over 96% said that Scotland needs change.
Rural Land Market Data Report 2025
Analysis of land sales data from 2020-2024.
Approaches to land valuation in the tax system
WPI Economics was commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission to explore how land and property are valued for taxation purposes internationally.
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