Latest news with #CommunityLandScotland
The Herald Scotland
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Experts call for more community ownership of Scotland's woodlands
The analysis by experts in forestry and land use highlights concern from across Scotland about the role of industrial forestry corporations and asset management organisations who increasingly dominate the ownership and management of Scotland's forests. The research concludes that more community ownership and management of woodlands, and more diverse ownership of forests across Scotland would increase community wealth and lead to greater environmental benefits, as well as producing more actively managed forests in Scotland. In three new discussion papers, forestry experts Willie McGhee and Jon Hollingdale analyse the effectiveness and impact of industrial forestry on local areas as well as for meeting national carbon and timber targets. READ MORE: Industrial forestry refers to predominantly single species, mostly unmanaged, Sitka Spruce forest, contrasting with more climatically resilient, sustainable, mixed species forestry. The papers recognise that, while mixed productive forestry has an important part to play in reaching Net Zero and delivering economic and social opportunities, basic assumptions about the economic, climatic and environmental benefits of industrial forestry can be questionable. The new papers were commissioned by Community Land Scotland (CLS), the lead body representing community landowners in Scotland. Dr Josh Doble, Director of Policy and Advocacy at CLS, said: 'These papers are designed to prompt discussion about industrial forestry and what an alternative forestry sector could look like in a Scotland which prioritises sustainable timber, community wealth building, climate and biodiversity.' Willie McGhee has long experience in the forestry and community woodland sector. He is a forest manager and owner, a Director of the Forest Policy Group and a Trustee with the Community Woodlands Association. Dr Josh Doble, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Community Land Scotland (Image: Nick Mailer) His carbon report states that 'questionable assumptions, and research gaps - particularly with respect to forest practice on peat soils — mean we may be overestimating the benefit of afforestation as a means of locking up carbon and offsetting carbon emissions.' This applies to both native woodlands and industrial forest. The impact of trees on peat, the relatively short lifespan of timber products, and questionable claims regarding product substitution are subjects of ongoing scientific debate. Such uncertainty raises questions about the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK Government mechanism for monetising forest carbon sequestration. Forestry's contribution to Scotland's [[Net Zero]] targets is a key justification for Scottish Government subsidy support for afforestation, which, in turn fuels large-scale acquisitions for investment forestry groups. The paper describes some practical ways in which Scottish forestry could more effectively capture and store carbon. These include changes to forestry management practice; reducing reliance on clear-felling, increasing the length of forest rotations, and a moratorium on planting peaty soils. 'We should be doing more intelligent and nuanced forest management to protect soils and soil carbon and to create diverse timber producing forests, both native and exotic conifer, managed on longer (harvest) rotations or as permanent forest', Willie McGhee said. Experts are calling for more community ownership of Scotland's woodlands. (Image: Landfor) Willie McGhee's timber paper looks at the issues of 'timber security' and Scottish forestry products. Much of which goes for biomass, pallets, fencing, sheds and other short lived timber products. Most high-quality timber for construction is imported due to industry perceptions of UK timber, and a trend towards fast growing species and short harvesting rotation cycles; these to maximise profits rather than maximising timber quality, social and environmental benefits, including climate mitigation impacts. Jon Hollingdale is an independent forestry and land use consultant and researcher. He has had a variety of roles in the forestry sector, including 15 years as the CEO of the Community Woodlands Association. His new research paper assesses the impact of investment forestry on the land market and forestry practice. As his paper outlines, the financial advantages of land ownership and the largely unregulated land market facilitate speculation and are long-term obstacles to community wealth building; recent price spikes and the limited supply of forest land add further barriers to the ambitions of communities. Dr Josh Doble said: 'Community Land Scotland members have raised concerns about the impact of industrial coniferous forestry in their local areas. We as an organisation are concerned about the role of industrial forestry corporations and asset management organisations in further consolidating the ownership and management of Scotland's forests. 'The research includes a call for a more integrated, locally focused, and active forest management. That resonates with the community wealth building approach which we have been arguing should underpin all land management in Scotland." He added: 'If Scotland wants to be timber secure, and produce high quality timber for construction, how our forests are managed needs to be reformed. A clear way of reforming them would be to change some of the ownership patterns, allowing more local ownership and ensuring forests are actively managed over longer timescales to grow quality timber."
The National
01-08-2025
- Business
- The National
Call for community ownership of Scottish forests to combat corporate influence
In three new discussion papers, Willie McGhee and Jon Hollingdale analysed the effectiveness and impact of industrial forestry on local areas and for meeting national targets. McGhee is a forest manager and owner, and Hollingdale is an independent forestry and land use researcher. The papers were commissioned by Community Land Scotland, which is the lead body representing community landowners in Scotland. Dr Josh Doble, director of policy and advocacy at the organisation, said: 'These papers are designed to prompt discussion about industrial forestry and what an alternative forestry sector could look like in a Scotland which prioritises sustainable timber, community wealth building, climate and biodiversity.' Dr Josh Doble (Image: Nick Mailer) Research in the paper concludes that more community ownership and management of woodlands, and more diverse ownership of forests across Scotland would increase community wealth, lead to greater environmental benefits, and produce more actively managed forests in Scotland. It calls for changes to forestry management practice, reducing reliance on clear-felling, increasing the length of forest rotations, and a moratorium on planting peaty soils which they say would allow Scottish forestry to more effectively capture and store carbon. McGhee said: 'We should be doing more intelligent and nuanced forest management to protect soils and soil carbon and to create diverse timber producing forests, both native and exotic conifer, managed on longer (harvest) rotations or as permanent forest." READ MORE: 10,000-acre Highland forest gains special European status in UK-first Hollingdale's paper states that the financial advantages of land ownership and the largely unregulated land market facilitate speculation are long-term obstacles to community wealth building. Furthermore, he says recent price spikes and the limited supply of forest land add further barriers to the ambitions of communities. Hollingdale argues that Scottish Government policies betray a reluctance to tackle emissions at point of consumption or to facilitate a systematic and measured land use transition. Instead, they say, policymakers remain wedded to the discredited notion that large scale, extractive private investment is essential to deliver woodland creation and have focused on devising new incentives to attract external investment. Hollingdale said: 'The current mix of incentives and mechanisms does little to promote active management of existing woods or the creation of the mixed multipurpose forests. 'The focus on area targets and the absence of measures to drive land release constrain afforestation to marginal ground and perpetuate the dominance of poor-quality plantations and ultimately will do little to tackle the climate crisis.' READ MORE: See the Glasgow tree shortlisted for UK Tree of the Year Dr Doble said: 'Community Land Scotland members have raised concerns about the impact of industrial coniferous forestry in their local areas. 'We as an organisation are concerned about the role of industrial forestry corporations and asset management organisations in further consolidating the ownership and management of Scotland's forests. 'If Scotland wants to be timber secure, and produce high quality timber for construction, how our forests are managed needs to be reformed. 'A clear way of reforming them would be to change some of the ownership patterns, allowing more local ownership and ensuring forests are actively managed over longer timescales to grow quality timber'.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
'Scotland needs better availability of land ownership data'
This comes as the Scottish Government is actively developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) as a new mechanism to encourage private investment in nature restoration and biodiversity projects. Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, all public bodies in Scotland are required to further the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out their responsibilities. READ MORE: However, the new report from UHI concludes that there is no universal standard to measure biodiversity. As a result, measuring success or failure of biodiversity initiatives is 'extremely challenging'. The report, which focused on biodiversity assessments on community-owned land, suggests that 'community landowners cannot know if or how they are achieving their biodiversity objectives despite the biggest community buyouts have a higher-than-average proportion of sites of ecological importance such as peatlands and Sites of Special Scientific Interest'. The report also found that community ownership is inherently geared towards biodiversity, with 12 of the 18 largest community landowners directly constituted to 'conserving, protecting or enhancing the environment or natural heritage, and with environmental sustainability central to community aspirations'. As well as standardising the way in which biodiversity is measured, the report recommends local people – with their often-detailed understanding of the area – should become more involved in designing and carrying out biological monitoring. The report highlights the need for better methods to measure levels of biodiversity (Image: Community Land Scotland) It also calls for specific measurable targets for landowners around biodiversity objectives. The UHI report also found that making assessments of land use and management across Scotland is unnecessarily challenging due to the lack of land data and lack of transparency. To have robust climate and biodiversity projects there needs to be readily available data on land boundaries, ownership and land use so that successes, failures and differences can be assessed in our fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Dr Josh Doble, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Community Land Scotland, welcomed the research from UHI. He said: 'It clearly demonstrates the issues inherent in Scottish landownership data and how to accurately measure biodiversity. It provides important pause for thought as the Scottish Government consults on how to leverage in private finance to biodiversity recovery. 'For our members there are important findings regarding the number of key ecological sites they are custodians of, as well as where ecological recovery needs to take place. We wholeheartedly agree with UHI that community-led biological monitoring should have a far more prominent place in biodiversity assessments as well as the need for much stronger data to assist all landowners in understanding what biodiversity actions need to happen on their land.' Dr Mike Daniels, a researcher at UHI's Centre for Mountain Studies, added: 'It is surprising, given the high priority of biodiversity in public policy, how difficult it is to get data on biodiversity outcomes for specific areas of land. Scotland needs better availability of land ownership data and greater transparency on how it is managed.'
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New archive tells the story of land reform across Scotland
The land all around was owned by the Chief of Macleod, who lived in the impressively preserved Dunvegan Castle. Then, in the mid-70's, Dunvegan went high-tech. Gaeltec arrived in the village. The company was at the cutting edge of film resistive (of foil) strain gauge sensors – thin miniature pressure sensors used in medical and veterinary work. With up to 20 good jobs at its peak for the locals, Gaeltec was a trailblazer for high-tech remote working, and justifiably lauded as an example of a partial solution to the depopulation and demographic challenges that have haunted much of the Highlands for many generation. READ MORE: Unfortunately, Gaeltec struggled to survive latterly, and despite a change of owners, public support and much goodwill, the lab in Dunvegan finally shut its doors about eight years ago. The rollercoaster history of Gaeltec is only one small adventure in the colourful wider history of the Dunvegan community. Macleod of Dunvegan and his tribe fought the last clan battle in Skye against the constant foe, Macdonald of Sleat. That gruesome clash - Battle of Coire na Creiche - in 1601 ended two centuries of serious violence between the clan rivals. Then, much of the area around Dunvegan was ravaged by Clearances. The Glendale Martyrs – who led the fight for land rights during the Crofters Wars – were from the neighbouring estate. Young Highland Crofters with spinning wheel and new hat (Image: Community Land Scotland) The populist land agitator and bard, Mairi Mhor nan Oran, was brought up in the area. Today the Macleods of Dunvegan are a pale shadow of their former selves. The Macdonalds of Sleat have long since surrendered most of their south Skye fiefdom to the Clan Trust – now bogged down in a highly controversial sale of the old Macdonald Castle and restaurant and grounds. Meanwhile, the local community in Dunvegan now has plans to take over the old Gaeltec building and transform it into a community facility. Once more the building will be a centre for optimism and opportunity as the local community takes control. The rollercoaster story of Dunvegan is only one of 840 possible example from around Scotland where buyout communities have taken control of land and buildings, in cities and towns as well as the rural heartlands. Now Community Land Scotland curator Iain Craig is researching and collating these stories to create a national archive telling the history of Scotland's land reform movement and the unique records of the communities that are engaged in the process. A historical scene at Kyleakin on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) He said: 'Like Dunvegan, every community has a story to tell and these stories are often fascinating and dramatic. Our project aims to ensure the stories of these communities are available for everyone, capturing the history of people and community and explaining ultimately, why so many of them opted for community control.' Mr Craig - a Gaelic-speaking design graduate from Balmacara in Wester Ross - argues that community ownership can be transformational and it is now one of the most important political and social movements in Scotland. 'Looking at the variety of stories across Scotland, we don't have rose-tinted glasses. Our members know that buyouts can be challenging. They have to be very inventive and resilient and they have to ensure their income stream works", he said. 'But everywhere there are great stories where community buyouts are reinvigorating the community in Stow or Bridgend or Kirkcaldy, Huntly, and Lewis and Harris." The Assynt Foundation community trust lives under the shadow of majestic Suilven, and the less attractive historical shadows of The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the most notorious of the Clearance barons. Laundry women on Skye (Image: Community Land Scotland) Now in community hands, the estate is leasing out Glencanisp Lodge – built by the Duke's family in 1850 - to a hotel entrepreneur. The Glencanisp development should create around 15 jobs and provide income for the community. 'What a great story for the archive', said Mr Craig. 'There is the horrible drama of the clearances, the lodge as a sign of privilege while the community suffered, all finally leading to community control and community benefit as the lodge is owned by the people rather than the laird.' The archive will tell the stories of these community journeys including all areas of Scotland. As well as the riches of the new archive, Mr Craig has been travelling Scotland with an exhibition of artworks, featuring creations by contemporary artists telling the stories and achievements of the pioneers of community ownership. The Where We Stand exhibition has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland from Stow to Stornoway, Glasgow to Oban to Wick. READ MORE: Over 7,000 people have visited the exhibition so far, enjoying the works of artists such as Virginia Hutchison, Richard Bracken, Colin Tennant, Saskia Coulson, Francia Boakye, Kate O'Shea, Emma Duncan, Ann Little and Helen Walsh. Mr Craig said: 'The Where We Stand artworks are all themed around the long and difficult struggle for community empowerment. It reflects the conflicts and celebrates the achievements. 'The exhibition investigates the journey of community ownership over the last 100 years, and ask: 'What do we want next?' 'Good progress has been made in some communities in the last 100 years, but shockingly only 421 people own half of Scotland's private land and radical change is needed. 'Where We Stand investigates these issues and themes and hopes through the eyes of contemporary artists, and we hope it will help enrich and stimulate the land reform debate. The feedback, conversations and connections made during this tour makes it clear that this isn't just about ownership, it's about empowerment of people and the impact that has on their lives on a day to day basis.' After visiting multiple communities across Scotland, the exhibition, which finishes its comprehensive tour in Edinburgh at North Edinburgh Arts from June 27 to July 11. For more information on The Where We Stand exhibition, visit
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New unit aims to build partnerships between communities and developers
A new unit is being launched aimed at building partnerships between landowners, communities and developers involved in natural capital projects. The Natural Capital Community Partnerships (NCCP) project aims to establish fair and practical examples of projects where communities, developers and landowners work together to share in the benefits of natural capital investment. The new unit will be led by Dr Sally Reynolds, who has significant experience working in community development and of 'walking the tightrope' between different interests in the land use sector. 'We want to promote understanding and cooperation between different parties', said Dr Reynolds. 'We want to encourage open conversation and early dialogue between communities, landowners and developers.' Dr Reynolds highlighted that community engagement is crucial. She added: 'Well-managed peatland or wetland restoration or woodland development projects can support both environmental restoration and community development and resilience. It can create local jobs, boost local economies and sustain livelihoods - maximising the benefits for communities.' READ MORE: New report highlights how crofting helps keep Eigg's cultural traditions alive Call for delay to controversial sale of Skye castle and estate New community-led homes development on Colonsay will be 'transformational' There are already a number of successful, collaborative projects across Scotland, such as the community-owned Assynt Foundation in Sutherland, which has a major forest development project with Woodland Trust Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company has a partnership with Upper Urr Environmental Trust which has allowed them to develop the area for community use including the installation of a path network, benches and a range of community events. Dr Reynolds said: 'This is a new and unique project doing a lot of work on-the-ground. It's a key ambition that Scotland's land should benefit more of Scotland's people. With good conversations at an early stage there is greater understanding and a much greater chance of agreements that suit everyone.' 'As far as possible, the community, landowners and developers should be able to form agreements that are meaningful and beneficial for all parties.' The Natural Capital Community Partnerships will have a team of four staff and will work within Community Land Scotland and in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission. The Community Land Scotland team will work as part of a network of advisers across Scotland including the newly appointed Community Benefits from Nature Adviser employed by the Scottish Land Commission in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Emma Cooper, Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities at the Scottish Land Commission, said: 'This project is a really important step in making sure natural capital investment delivers for communities as well as for nature. 'We're pleased to be working alongside Community Land Scotland, including through our new Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, to support fair and practical approaches in communities across Scotland. 'Our land is a finite resource that needs to meet many different needs. By helping communities, landowners and developers work together from the outset, this initiative can turn potential tensions into lasting, shared benefits.' The project is funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Forestry and others. Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said: 'As Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone we continue to take a forward-thinking approach in the South of Scotland to creating a wellbeing economy based on our natural capital assets. 'Community Wealth Building is one of our key priorities, so we are delighted to be working with Community Land Scotland and partners in delivering this groundbreaking national project.'
