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Community Engagement

The first Land Rights and Responsibilities Protocol, ‘Community Engagement in Decisions Relating to Land,’ sets out practical advice on how landowners, land managers and communities can work together to make better – and fairer – decisions about land use.

The Protocol supports the Guidance on Engaging Communities in decisions relating to land, which was published by the Scottish Government.

We have also created a range of tools to support land owners in engaging with communities including a route map detailing engagement methods and what is expected of land owners and managers in different situations and a practice guide to engagement plans to support the community engagement process.

Good Practice Community Engagement Surveys

Responsible management of land for natural capital is essential for a just transition.

In 2019, the Scottish Land Commission carried out two surveys one of landowners and managers - and one of community organisations and individuals - in order to establish a baseline measurement of involvement in and experiences of community engagement activities carried out by landowners.

The results of the first surveys gave us some figures from which progress can be measured. In 2022, we carried out two further surveys to understand what progress has been made in the last few years, and what additional support, guidance or changes might be required to encourage and enable more effective engagement in relation to land use decisions.

We have published a report on the results of the surveys which can be read here.

Community Engagement - Glenlivet Estate

Watch our webinar on Community Engagement and Transparency of Ownership and Land Use Decision-Making

Case Studies

Savills involvement in Community Engagement

Savills established a way to work with land owners and managers, new to the concepts and processes around engagement, to deliver it effectively making use of the Commission's Protocols and Route Map.

link to Savills involvement in Community Engagement case study

RSPB Insh Marshes Nature Reserve

A long-term vision is being developed to transform RSPB Insh Marshes into a prime example of a better-connected floodplain and less modified river system

link to RSPB Insh Marshes Nature Reserve case study

Findrassie Master-planned Neighbourhood, Elgin

For the Findrassie master-planned development, Pitgaveny Estate has taken a longer-term, strategic approach to create a new neighbourhood in collaboration with the community, Moray Council and other key stakeholders.

link to Findrassie Master-planned Neighbourhood, Elgin case study

Timber Eiggxport

Community landowners Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust have worked with Scottish Forestry to design a Forest Plan which includes a phased programme of harvesting over 20 years to make sustainable use of the forest.

link to Timber Eiggxport case study

Timber Transport Forum – Developing consultation and engagement guidance

The Timber Transport Forum was one of the first sectors to develop its own guidance on engaging communities in decisions relating to land, as recommended by Scottish Government.

link to Timber Transport Forum – Developing consultation and engagement guidance case study

Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn – Galson Estate Trust

Established in 2007 to manage the Galson Estate on the Isle of Lewis for and on behalf of the community.

link to Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn – Galson Estate Trust case study

Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership – Natural Connections

A living landscape partnership approach to bring different landowners together to develop volunteer-led conservation

link to Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership – Natural Connections case study

East Neuk Community Action Plan

East Neuk Community Action Plan is an aspirational initiative to develop a long term vision and strategy for East Neuk area of Fife

link to East Neuk Community Action Plan case study

Community Engagement publications

  • Good Practice

Community Engagement Survey Results 2022

The results of the Community Engagement Surveys carried out in 2022.

588.34 KB

  • Good Practice

Information Map - Info for Land Owners

325.31 KB

  • Good Practice

Information Map - Info for Communities

336.79 KB

  • Good Practice

FAQs on Community Engagement in Land Use Decision-Making Protocol

170.64 KB

  • Good Practice

Community Engagement in Land-Use Decision Making Land Agent Training: Benefits of Community Engagement Table

183.40 KB

  • Good Practice

Community Engagement in Land-Use Decision Making Useful Resources

187.76 KB

  • Good Practice
  • Housing & Development

Support for Community Engagement

444.06 KB

  • Good Practice
  • Housing & Development

Opportunities for public involvement in the Scottish planning system

147.90 KB

  • Good Practice
  • Housing & Development

The Value of Early Engagement in Planning Report Summary

425.45 KB

  • Good Practice
  • Housing & Development

The Value of Early Engagement in Planning

2.34 MB

  • Good Practice

Community Engagement Baseline Surveys Report 2019

303.34 KB

  • Good Practice

A Route Map - Community Engagement in Decisions Relating to Land

294.63 KB

  • Good Practice

SURF Report - Land and Communities: Beyond the Echo Chambers

This report is the result of a collaboration between Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) and the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) to consider the practical potential for realising the Scottish Government’s vision of a strong and dynamic relationship between Scotland’s land and its people. In particular, the Commission sought to engage SURF’s experience and networks to explore assets and challenges; and varied partner perspectives in the interlinked complexity of the urban context.

1.19 MB

  • Good Practice

Young Scot report - Young People and their Local Urban Areas

Young Scot and Scottish Land Commission established a partnership to explore how young people understand, perceive and have a connection with their local urban areas. This partnership used a co-design approach to explore insights from a broad range of young people about land and buildings in cities and towns.

1.98 MB

  • Good Practice

Recommendations to Scottish Government on the consultation on guidance for engaging communities in decisions relating to land

The Scottish Land Commission has reviewed the likely impact and effectiveness of the guidance on engaging communities in decisions relating to land as contained in the consultation in relation to what we understand to be its intended outcomes, and has offered recommendations to Scottish Ministers.

184.37 KB

  • Good Practice

A Protocol - Community Engagement in Decisions Relating to Land

319.14 KB

  • Good Practice

Developing an Engagement Plan for Decisions Relating to Land - Practice Guide - Annex 2 - Engagement Planning Template

154.47 KB

  • Good Practice

Developing an Engagement Plan for Decisions Relating to Land - Practice Guide - Annex 1 - Engagement Planning Matrix

176.76 KB

  • Good Practice

Developing an Engagement Plan for Decisions Relating to Land - Practice Guide

521.02 KB