2026-2030

Biodiversity and community owned land in Scotland – an analysis (October 2024 – March 2025)

Mike Daniels, Catriona Mallows, Bobby Macaulay and Rosalind Bryce

Funded by the Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher, this project was a partnership with Community Land Scotland to look at the intersection between community owned land and biodiversity benefits, using public datasets. The information obtained was aimed at helping inform the land reform debate and legislation with respect to public objectives for biodiversity.

Biodiversity and community owned land in Scotland - an analysis

Understanding Changes in Demand for Large-scale Community Land Acquisitions in Scotland January 2026-March 2026

Using a mixed methods approach, this fellowship has examined changes in perceived demand for large-scale community land acquisition since 2001, investigating the reasons for this over time and geography, barriers preventing communities from pursuing acquisitions, and identifying solutions that could be made to support systems and funding routes.

See final report and case study:

• SEFARI Fellowship to understand changes in demand for largescale community land acquisitions and identify barriers and solutions to new acquisitions
• Why Are Large Community Buyouts Slowing Down? And Why Are There Places Where They Never Got Started? | SEFARI

Partners: UHI Perth, University of Edinburgh

We are grateful to SEFARI Gateway, commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission with a Steering Group in place.

South Assynt Collaboration Project: Baseline Socio-Economic Study December 2025-June 2026

The South Assynt Collaboration Project is a new collaboration between the Assynt Foundation (AF) and Woodland Trust Scotland (WTS), covering over 18,000 hectares of community owned land to generate benefits for nature and the surrounding communities. As part of this, we are conducting a socio-economic baseline of the area and community needs and aspirations, allowing AF and WTS to measure the long-term impact of the South Assynt Collaboration Project.

We are grateful to The Woodland Trust for funding this work

Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review led by SRUC

Dr Bobby Macaulay, Catriona Mallows

SRUC is leading a review of three core elements of the Scottish Government’s existing funding and support: Community Led Local Development (CLLD), Scottish Rural Action (SRA), and the Scottish Rural Network (SRN). CMS is a partner in this research.

The work will propose options and recommendations for future community support which will inform the delivery of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024. Supported by the University of the Highlands and Islands (Perth) and Ipsos Scotland, the SRUC-led research team will be consulting widely across rural Scotland. They are keen to hear from people living and working in rural communities, including those who are familiar with CLLD, SRA and SRN, as well as those who are not.

The team will be drawing on the experience of Science Ceilidh and Impact Hub Inverness to ensure their approach is community-based, equitable and inclusive, with an emphasis on making sure everyone who wants to is able to contribute.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said:

“This is another meaningful step forward in implementing a new rural support system in Scotland. This strong team of research partners, led by Scotland’s Rural College, will generate fresh insights, and create opportunities to get involved in the project in different ways.

“This work will directly inform the shape of the future rural support system as we implement the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Visit the Rural exchange website to find out more and get involved