Rights And Wrongs

Nick Drainey mulls over land ownership on a walk up Glen Banvie

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SCOTLAND’S scenery attracts visitors from across the world, with many relishing the broad access we almost take for granted.

On a local level the Community Right to Buy legislation has been used to allow groups to manage the land where they live, rather than relying on the laird in his big house. Some lairds have given over their land while others have moved on from a Victorian-style business model of hunting, shooting and fishing to also offer activities as diverse as mountain biking, zip wires and study centres.

Earlier this year the Scottish Land Commission began a study into who owns the land and how it affects those that live on it. In 18 months a report will be published, followed no doubt by debate, clarification, U-turns and mudslinging, hopefully not literal. The Scottish Government has said it would like land ownership to be diluted.