Rural Renewables: Making your project a success.
The key to a successful renewables project is proper groundwork from the outset.
Despite the Scottish Government’s lack of commitment to…
Land and Rural Business
Perth curling competition organisers on the lookout for cool customers to sweep up top prizes
Cool customers are being invited to hit the ice for the annual Farmers’ Trophy curling competition, sponsored by Thorntons.
The firm’s Land…
The Future of Forestry in Scotland
At present the management of forestry in Scotland lies with the UK Forestry Commission despite the fact forestry is a broadly devolved area…
Who Owns Scotland? Consultation Launched on Controlling Interests in Land
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on its plans to set up a public register disclosing who owns a controlling interest in…
Mud On Roads: A Farmers Liability?
The movements of farm vehicles and machinery in and out of fields can leave deposits of mud and other materials on nearby public roads, but…
The Law on Hedges - how high is too high?
A recent Sheriff Court ruling has seen a landowner in Bridge of Weir ordered to cut back a garden hedge that was deemed to have grown…
A Sellers Market Home Reports and EPCs for Rural Property Sales
When a rural property is being brought to the market, it is worth considering whether or not Home Reports and Energy Performance…
Principal Private Residence: When is my house My Home?
Within the last year, many people have focused on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax queries but in relation to rural properties, owners…
Landlords Could Lose Out Over Phone Mast Rules Changes
The Government has recently published proposals to reform the Electronic Communications Code to encourage mobile phone masts in rural areas…
The End of Short Assured Tenancies
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 was passed in April and is expected to come into force in late 2017.
After the…
Campbells Call to Sheep Farmers
Joyce Campbell, from Armadale Farm, Sutherland, winner of the inaugural Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year Award at AgriScot 2015, has made…
Voluntary Registration of Title & Keeper Induced Registration
The Scottish Government’s drive to ensure transparency of land ownership includes accelerating the registration of titles to land in the…
The Extension of the Community Right to Buy
The Community Right to Buy rules have been extended by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.…
Thorntons strengthens its Land and Rural team with new appointment
Thorntons bolsters Land and Rural Business team with a new appointment.
Ross Low, a qualified lawyer and highly experienced chartered rural…
Ransom Strips
Many landowners who have considered selling land for development will be aware of ransom strips but any considering the voluntary…
Taxing Times - LBTT 3% Surcharge for Rural Property Transactions
From 1st April 2016 additional surcharges to LBTT will apply to some residential property purchases.
After 1st April 2016 the Scottish rate…
Borrowers Be Prepared: Closure of the Register of Sasines to Securities
From 1 April 2016 the Register of Sasines was closed to new Standard Securities.
As a Standard Security must be registered in the same…
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill passed.
The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament in June 2015. This followed:
The Land Reform Review Group…
Worried about Worrying?
There have been several high profile cases of sheep worrying in Scotland over the last few months and a resulting increase in press…
Second Conviction for Vicarious Liability for Wildlife Crime
Following a recent court case, landowners and shooting tenants should ensure employees are provided with training in order to comply with…
Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year Winner Announced at AgriScot
The winner of the inaugural AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year Award was announced at the farm business event today.
The first ever…