ScotLand Futures: Shaping the future of Scotland’s land
A national conversation about the future of Scotland’s land
Land underpins almost everything that matters to Scotland, from climate and housing to jobs and community identity. ScotLand Futures invited people across the country to share their views on how land should be owned, used and shared in the decades ahead.
Launched by the Scottish Land Commission, this initiative builds on over 25 years of land reform and asks: What would completing Scotland’s land reform journey look like? And what benefits would it bring?
ScotLand Futures - Shaping the future of Scotland's land
What we heard
1,236
More than 1,200 people took part including residents, landowners, farmers, tenants, campaigners, and community groups.
96%
Told us that Scotland needs change in how land is owned and used
1 in 4
Say that too much land and power is held by too few
ScotLand Futures: What we heard
What matters most
From the Borders to the islands, people spoke clearly and consistently about what needs to change. These are the themes that came through strongest and paint a picture of what a fairer, more locally rooted land system could look like.
People want to know who owns Scotland
Across cities, towns, villages and islands, one of the strongest messages was about openness. People told us that finding out who owns land is far too difficult, and that the lack of transparency undermines trust. Around one in 20 (5.4%) respondents explicitly called for greater transparency about who owns land in Scotland.
Too much land and power in too few hands
Around a quarter of respondents (24.4%) believe that ownership — and the power that comes with it — is concentrated in too few hands. They described the consequences in very human terms: the young family unable to find land for a house; the small business that can’t expand; the community that sees its future shaped by decisions taken elsewhere.
Being part of the place
Linked to questions of ownership is a sense of belonging. Around one in five people (21%) told us that those who own significant parts of Scotland should also be part of the communities whose lives their decisions affect.
A real say in what happens locally
When it comes to how land is used, developed and managed, more than one in 10 people (13%) people repeatedly said they feel locked out of decisions that affect their lives.
Brining wasted places back to life
From small towns to city neighbourhoods, the sight of derelict or abandoned sites provoked strong feelings. Around one in 40 people (2.5%) described the frustration of living beside empty land or buildings left to decay year after year.
Tax: A problem and a solution
Almost one in ten people (9.4%) said that changes to the tax system could help make a big difference to how land is owned and used in Scotland.
Discover what Scotland told us
Voices from Scotland
Diverse Perspectives on Scotland’s Land Future
Alongside the national survey, we invited a range of contributors with deep and diverse experience of land, nature, and community to share their vision for the future. Voices from Scotland brings together community leaders, land managers, campaigners, researchers, young people, and practitioners each sharing their perspective on what a land reformed Scotland would look like.
These perspectives don’t claim a single answer; they invite collaboration, reflect a range of views, and focus on outcomes for people and nature. Together, they reflect the hopes, frustrations, and ambitions of a nation ready to rethink how land is owned and used.
