Land Reform in Scotland

Current Scottish Land Reform and Reclaiming the Commons: Building Community Resilience

“…Understanding the processes and outcomes of assets transfer—land and property—in these remote geographies such as Scotland’s islands is ongoing but research offers case studies that focus on particular place vulnerabilities and contextual appreciation. Further, all buyouts have demonstrated enterprise, innovation, initiative and planning to realize repopulation, improved housing, employment and business growth, sensitivity to ecosystems and regeneration of the natural environment (Burnett and Danson, 2016, 2017; Combe et al, 2020). The progress catalogued here in the example drawn from Scotland’s Hebrides, and with a particular focus on Eigg, illustrates the more general benefits accrued across mainland and island Scotland (Peacock, 2018) from regaining control over ownership and management of the commons.…”

“…The progress catalogued here in the example drawn from Scotland’s Hebrides, and with a particular focus on Eigg, illustrates the more general benefits accrued across mainland and island Scotland (Peacock, 2018) from regaining control over ownership and management of the commons. Further land reform legislation and investment has been encouraged by these successes, with extensions of interest and coverage to rural communities in more southern parts of the country and into urban areas (Combe et al, 2020; MacLeod, 2019).…”

“…Iniquity over ownership remains, but the nature of community ownership itself requires ongoing scrutiny if lessons are to be gained from what constitutes good practice and ‘futureproofing’, while countering potential abuses of power within Scotland’s unfolding community ownership landscape. Scotland‘s assets and their sustainable commons future—on land and at sea—is a wicked problem complexly debated (Brown, 2006; Bryden and Geisler, 2007; Chenevix-Trench and Philip, 2001; Combe et al, 2020; Henneman and McIntosh, 2009; MacLeod, 2019; Peacock, 2018; Sellar, 2006; Skerratt, 2013; Wightman et al, 2004). Furthermore, central to the debates over what is ‘the land’ and the nature of asset ownership today, remains the question of who is ‘the land’, and each question is enhanced by engaging sociological, ecological and anthropogenic critiques.…”

“…Reviews and analyses of community buyouts in Scotland (Brown, 2006; Bryden and Geisler, 2007; Combe et al, 2020; Mulholland et al, 2015; Sellar, 2006; Skerratt, 2013; SPICe, 2019) have identified that ownership and management of the commons acquired under land reform requires elements of effective and efficient partnerships, internal capacity building, institutions as social rules and norms, and consistent governance arrangements to support essential changes in practice and process. As well as needing financial capital and revenue, and other elements of successful business plans, together these reports have confirmed the importance of the local community being able to recognize and mobilize appropriate social capitals (that is, the relationships, networks and links between individuals and communities) which can unite the community, provide linkages and relationships with other agencies and partners (Bourdieu, 1986; Bryden and Geisler, 2007; McCrone, 1997).…”