Land transformed SFORMED?
deliver them. In terms of significance of the statement for landowners, I think that for many it will simply put into words what they already do on a day-to- day basis.”
Although supportive of many elements of the Bill, SLE has some serious reservations about some of the provisions, citing a lack of any clear policy objective or evidential basis. “We have underlined the significant erosion of property rights which would result from a couple of specific legislative measures,” says McAdam. “We support increased community engagement and increased transparency of ownership, as well as underlining our support for a vibrant agricultural tenanted sector. Landowners are committed to playing their part in these areas.
“However, we believe that it is unjust to place a disproportionate burden on one section of society, namely private landowners, to deliver public interest aims. To deliver all Scotland’s economic, social and environmental goals, it is essential that we find the right balance here between public
and private interests.”
DOES OWNERSHIP MATTER? When it comes to managing land for wildlife, does it really matter who owns the land? The Trust, says Keegan, is concerned with how the land is used and managed, not who owns it per se. “But that’s not to say that ownership in some areas of the uplands has not driven particularly damaging patterns of land use.” Instead of joining the political debate around who owns land, the Trust hopes the land reform process will lead to a “reformation of understanding that if you’re using the land, you should do so in a sustainable way that doesn’t lead to environmental degradation.” But Wightman asserts: “Ownership and land use are intimately connected – though they face certain restrictions from planning and conservation designations, it is ultimately the owner who decides how
land is used. The idea that who owns the land is of no consequence to land use is blind to reality.”
At present, private landowners’ intentions and decisions are an environmental lottery, says Wightman. He cites a positive example, followed by a radical suggestion: “Anders Povlsen of Glenfeshie Estate has shown that there are big landowners who marry up their personal interest with the public benefit of environmental restoration. We need a system that actively encourages that – ideally I’d like to see some sort of government approval of large or significant land holdings so that if, for example, an estate like
NOVEMBER 2015 SCOTTISH WILDLIFE 15
© Niall Benvie/2020VISION
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