MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates

"The bill is designed to help reduce the concentration of rural land ownership among a small number of people, and to give communities a greater say in what happens on privately owned land. It also seeks to increase opportunities for community buyouts of land and could allow for large estates to be split into smaller plots when they are put up for sale."

"The parliament backed the creation of a "transfer test", which would ensure that the sale or transfer of a large landholding (bigger than 1,000 hectares) cannot be completed without owners first applying to ministers for a decision on whether to sub-divide the land into "lots". The bill also says that if someone wants to sell a large landholding, they must notify the government. Ministers would in turn notify community groups, offering them the chance to buy the land."

The Scottish Parliament passed land reform legislation designed to reduce the concentration of rural land ownership and increase community influence over privately owned land. The bill passed after three days of debate with almost 400 amendments and a vote of 85 in favour, 28 against and nine abstentions. The law introduces a "transfer test" for holdings larger than 1,000 hectares, requires sellers to notify government and nearby community groups, and mandates published land management plans with fines up to 40,000 for non-compliance. The legislation also establishes a Land and Communities Commissioner. Campaigners welcomed some measures but said reforms did not go far enough, while opponents warned the measures would not work and objected to intervention in land transactions.

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