1. Background: Why this research
The Scottish Land Commission is dedicated to addressing land issues that resonate with the people of Scotland. Our work is rooted in evidence and research, ensuring our strategic direction remains responsive to the evolving realities of land reform.
In 2018-2019, the Scottish Land Commission published foundational research on the scale and concentration of land ownership. The evidence base for this work included over 400 public responses, identifying critical issues that have since shaped the Scottish Land Commission’s policy and research agenda.
In 2025, the Scottish Land Commission launched ScotLand Futures, which was a public engagement initiative aimed at creating a national conversation about what the future of land reform should look like in the years ahead. The findings from the survey provide a strong qualitative insight into changes people would like to see in the way in which land is owned, used and managed. The outputs from the ScotLand Futures survey and public engagement, together with an existing body of research, insights and international experience spanning eight years, sets out a direction of travel for the next phase of reforms.
