Why Now – and What Next – for ScotLand Futures?

What do we want land reform to actually deliver for Scotland?

That’s the question we’re putting at the heart of ScotLand Futures – a new national initiative launched by the Scottish Land Commission to spark a bold, open conversation about the future of land in Scotland. And it’s a question that belongs to all of us.

For the past 25 years, Scotland has made real progress. We’ve made land ownership more transparent. We’ve seen communities take control of the land that shapes their future. But we haven’t yet completed the journey. The work so far has set the direction – now we need a clear destination.

ScotLand Futures is about looking ahead and asking:

• What kind of land system do we want in Scotland?
• How should land contribute to tackling the biggest challenges of our time – from housing to climate change?
• And how do we make sure the benefits of land are shared fairly across society?

These aren’t abstract questions. Land reform is not a historic footnote or a niche policy debate. It’s a live issue that affects how we build homes, grow food, create jobs, restore nature, and empower communities.

If we care about fairness, about inclusion, about a sustainable future – we must care about land.

Right now, we have a real opportunity to move the conversation forward. From the Revive coalition’s Big Land Question to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Community Right to Buy, there’s growing momentum behind the idea that Scotland’s land should work harder – and more fairly – for Scotland’s people.

To do that, we need to look beyond individual policies or pieces of legislation and think about the bigger picture. We need to step back and ask: what does a fully reformed land system look like? And how do we get there together?

ScotLand Futures is our invitation to the people of Scotland to help shape that vision. We want to hear from communities, campaigners, landowners, young people, businesses, and anyone who cares about the kind of country we’re building. We know the answers won’t all be the same, nor should they be, but we believe they’ll reflect common values: fairness, accountability, the common good.

Scotland’s relationship with land is shaped by its past. But this is about the future – and that future should be built by all of us, not just those with inherited influence or specialist knowledge.

This is the moment to raise our sights, build consensus, and complete the project of land reform. ScotLand Futures is your platform to be part of that conversation. I hope you’ll take it.