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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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.
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.
Scottish Land Commission response to the Community Right to Buy Review
Scottish Land Commission response to the Community Right to Buy Review
Scottish Land Commission response to the Land Use Strategy 4
Scottish Land Commission response to the Land Use Strategy 4 and Community Ownership Review
Land supply for housing in rural Scotland
This research report focuses specifically on the role of land in, and to make practical recommendations for, increasing the supply of new homes (of all tenures) across rural Scotland.
Summary: Land supply for rural housing proposal
The Land supply for rural housing proposal draws on findings from new research, commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission and conducted by the University of Glasgow, which reviewed practical steps to create a long-term land supply for rural housing in Scotland.
Àm ri Teachd Na H-Alba - Na Chuala Sinn: Gairm nàiseanta airson atharrachadh
This is a Gaelic summary capturing the main themes and ideas people shared through ScotLand Futures and reflects, in their own words, how Scotland’s land could work more fairly and more effectively for everyone.
Summary: Key findings from the 2024 review of vacant and derelict land
In October 2020 the Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce published a series of recommendations to support productive re-use of land. This followed two years of work analysing the challenge of vacant land.
Vacant and Derelict Land Reuse: Progress Report
Ryden was appointed by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) to report on progress with the reuse of Scotland�s vacant & derelict land (VDL). Building upon the reduction of VDL as a policy priority, SLC and SEPA�s VDL Taskforce were established in 2018, Ryden reported in detail on Scotland�s VDL in 2019, and the Taskforce�s recommendations were published in 2020.
Natural Resource Governance: Case Studies
Case studies compiled by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies: Eleanor Radcliffe, Sean Benstead, Charlie Murphy, Joseph Tupling, Naomi Mason
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