Reflections from the Highland Show

Attending the Royal Highland Show as Tenant Farming Commissioner was a privilege and a good reminder that being visible and present in this role really matters. It’s a firm fixture in the rural calendar, providing a platform to celebrate Scotland’s remarkable agricultural sector while meeting the people who keep it going: tenants, landlords, land agents, solicitors, policymakers, and countless others who contribute to the health and vibrancy of the tenanted farming landscape.

Over four very warm days (perhaps not the ideal time to realise you’ve worn your thickest tweed…), I had a wide range of conversations with people across the sector. Some were familiar faces from visits around the country, while others were first-time introductions. In both cases, these discussions were valuable. Building trust and keeping lines of communication open is never a one-off task, and the Highland Show provides a natural space keep those conversations going in a more relaxed setting.

There is something deeply human about bumping into people between stands, sitting for a coffee, or discussing concerns amid the buzz of livestock judging and trade tents. These chats are never scripted. They are real conversations about the lived experience of tenant farming in Scotland today, offering a chance to listen carefully to the issues raised, hear fresh perspectives, and better understand the concerns and hopes of those working the land.

A great deal of my recent work as Commissioner has centred on the Land Reform Bill, which continues to occupy much of the national conversation around land use and rural policy, but it wasn’t the only thing on people’s mind at the show. Yes, it came up, of course, but far more common were the forward-looking, constructive conversations about what a more secure, vibrant, and resilient tenanted sector could look like. There was a noticeable shift in tone, not of resignation, but of resolve.

Discussions covered a breadth of issues: new entrants exploring routes into the sector, succession planning, challenges facing ageing tenancies, the evolving role of agents, landlord-tenant dynamics, infrastructure and fixed equipment concerns, and the wider economic pressures facing farming businesses. There is still uncertainty in the sector, around land access, investment confidence, and legal complexities, but I came away with a sense that people are committed to finding constructive ways forward even amid frustrations.

More than anything, I was struck by the shared purpose across the sector.  Across all corners of the sector, there is recognition that tenant farming is not a relic of the past but a vital, evolving part of Scotland’s rural future. Whether looking at policy frameworks, practical tenancies, crofts or large estates, there is real appetite for collaboration, innovation, and, crucially, action.

We know there is no quick fix. Achieving lasting change in a system as complex and layered as agricultural tenancy will require patience, mutual respect, and long-term commitment. But I left the Highland Show feeling more optimistic than I have in some time. Not because the problems have disappeared, but because the will to address them seems more focused, honest, and solution-oriented than ever.

Being accessible at events like this isn’t a side element of the job, it is central to the work of a Commissioner. I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to stop, chat, and share their thoughts with me. These conversations inform everything I do, and they remind me that despite the headlines and the politics, this sector is still full of people who care deeply, think creatively, and want to see tenant farming not only survive but thrive.

As we look ahead, these conversations need to continue. If you’re a tenant, landlord, advisor or aspiring entrant with ideas or concerns, I encourage you to get in touch. My role is to listen and to act and there is no better time than now to shape the future of this sector together. You can reach me through the Tenant Farming Helpline on 01463 423 300 or tfc@landcommission.gov.scot, and I encourage you to use it.