ScotLand Matters: The Scottish Land and Estates Podcast

In this episode of ScotLand Matters , Scottish Land& Estates explores the vital role apprenticeships play in developing the next generation of rural professionals and addressing growing skills shortages across Scotland. As always, thank you for supporting the podcast and if you'd like to find out more check out the links below! Check out our Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2CSHv06...

Rural crime and livestock worrying are serious issues across Scotland’s countryside. In this episode of Scotland Matters, host Cameron Gillies, Head of External Affairs at Scottish Land & Estates, takes a closer look at rural crime—an issue that affects rural communities in direct and often deeply personal ways. From theft and vandalism to wildlife crime and fly-tipping, rural crime takes many...

In this episode, host Cameron Gillies discusses the pressing issue of rural depopulation in Scotland with Leader of Scottish Borders Council Euan Jardine. They review the recent publication by SLE titled Re-populating Rural Scotland and what steps the Government need to take to re-populate rural Scotland. They explore the complexities of local governance, the economic implications of population de...

In this episode of the ScotLand Matters podcast, host Cameron Gillies is joined by Anna Gardiner and Eleanor Kay to explore the pressing issues of water, weather, and waste impacting rural Scotland. As the country faces extreme weather patterns, from droughts to floods, our experts discuss the challenges and opportunities for rural businesses. Discover practical solutions for water management, the...

In this episode of the Scotland Matters podcast, host Cameron Gillies catches up with the Chair of the Scottish Land Commission, Michael Russell, and SLE’s CEO Sarah-Jane Laing to explore the complexities of land reform in Scotland.. The discussion delves into the historical context of land ownership, evolving perspectives on land use, and the balance between regulation and community engagement. T...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters podcast, Cameron is joined by SLE Director of Moorland, Ross Ewing, and Regional Coordinator for the Angus Glens Moorland Groups, Iona McGregor, to discuss the significance of the Glorious Twelfth, the start of the grouse shooting season in Scotland, and its multiple benefits to rural communities. The conversation covers the economic impact of grouse shooting, t...

This year, SLE's Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing celebrates her 20th year at the organisation. To mark the occasion, the ScotLand Matters Podcast is reflecting on her time here, with Donald Greig - our Membership Communications Manager - in conversation with SJ alongside friends, members and colleagues. We were pleased to be joined by Robert Scott-Dempster, head of Land and Rural Business at Gill...

This special International Women’s Day episode of the SLE Podcast celebrates the theme #AccelerateAction , amplifying the voices of women in the workplace and rural sector. Hosted by SLE's Digital Media Assistant, Anine Stevenson , this episode features insightful conversations with SLE Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing and SLE Board Member Lucy Laidlaw , alongside voices from our SLE colleague...

Land Reform in Scotland: Progress or Pitfall? Unpacking the Impact on Rural Communities, Climate, and Agriculture. In this episode of the Scottish Land and Estates podcast, Cameron is joined by SLE Legal Adviser, Jackie McCreery, to discuss the Land Reform Bill and its potential to strengthen rural community rights. They examine the complexities of the current legislation, its focus on large-scale...

Welcome Back & Happy New Year! 🎉 The latest episode of the Scottish Land & Estates podcast, ScotLand Matters , is here to kick off an exciting 2025! In this episode, our Press & Public Affairs Manager, Cameron Gillies , sits down with SLE Chairman, Dee Ward , and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon . Together, they delve into the Scottish Govern...

Welcome back to another episode of the Scottish Land & Estates Podcast, ScotLand Matters! In this episode, the discussion revolves around the recent UK budget and its implications for Scotland's rural sector. In this episode, Cameron is joined by Eleanor Kay (Senior Policy Adviser for Agriculture and Climate Change) and Jackie McCreery (Legal Adviser) to discuss the budget's impact on agricult...

Welcome back to another episode of the Scottish Land & Estates Podcast, ScotLand Matters! In this episode, Cameron explores the current state of rural affairs in Scotland, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities. It discusses the importance of legislative developments, the role of rural estates in the economy, and the commitment to sustainable development in th...

Welcome back to another episode of the Scottish Land & Estates Podcast, ScotLand Matters! In this episode, Cameron is back and joined by Anna Gardiner, our Rural Property Policy Adviser, to discuss Scotland's housing crisis. The Scottish government has declared a housing emergency, raising urgent questions about the factors driving this crisis. In this episode, Anna and Cameron analyse the...

Welcome back to another episode of the Scottish Land & Estates Podcast, ScotLand Matters! In this episode, we are joined by Director of Policy Stephen Young and Senior Policy Advisor for Agriculture & Climate Change Eleanor Kay. The conversation discusses the newly passed Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill in Scotland. It also highlights the opportunities for Scottish Land & Estate...

Happy Monday! This episode is a special of sorts, recorded live from our stand at the Royal Highland Show! This episode unpacks our key priorities for rural Scotland leading up to the General Election, whilst celebrating the wonders of the Royal Highland Show. In this episode, Cameron sits down with an SLE member Alex Bailey, Scottish Forestry's Will and Lynne on the transformative impact of w...

Welcome back to the SLE podcast! We've got a brand new season for you, with lots more to come so stay tuned! In this episode, Cameron Gillies is joined by Sarah-Jane Laing and Stephen Young to discuss the current state of rural affairs in Scotland, including changes in tone from politicians, the impact of recent legislation, and the implications of The Land Reform Bill. It also explores the up...

In this, our final episode for season one, Stephen Young, our Director of Policy, is joined by our newly appointed Press & Public Affairs Manager Cameron Gillies as they provide a summary of the work SLE is currently undertaking and share a glimpse of what’s coming next. Following that, you’ll hear our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing sit down to chat with Cameron, and our Senior Policy Advise...

In this episode, the second of two recorded in person at Leys Estate in Banchory, our Head of Regions Fiona Van Aardt sits down with members of Leys' team to hear about how they have been celebrating the estate's 700th anniversary. This episode was recorded on 21 and 22 September 2023. ScotLand Matters is the official podcast of Scottish Land & Estates, hosted by Carmen McPherson and produced by C...

In this episode, the first of two recorded in person at Leys Estate in Banchory, our Head of Regions Fiona Van Aardt sits down with members of Leys' team to hear about how they have been celebrating the estate's 700th anniversary. This episode was recorded on 21 and 22 September 2023. ScotLand Matters is the official podcast of Scottish Land & Estates, hosted by Carmen McPherson and pr...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our last for 2023, you’ll hear our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing sit down with SLE Chairman Dee Ward as they discuss what 2023 looked like for Scottish Land & Estates.  In this episode, expect to find out: Some of SLE's highlights throughout 2023 Thoughts and hopes for 2024 and much more! This episode was recorded on Tuesday 19 December. ScotLand Mat...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, you’ll hear our Senior Policy Adviser (Agriculture and Climate Change) Eleanor Kay in conversation with Dr Calum Brown, Co-Chief Scientist at Highlands Rewilding. In his role as a land system scientist, Calum is interested in how land management affects ecosystems and societies. In this episode, expect to find out: What was the inspiration behind Highlands Rewi...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, Sarah Madden, our Policy Adviser (Rural Communities), and Hannah Lloyd, our Business Development Manager, are joined by Jim Hume, Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Communications for Change Mental Health. Expect to hear answers to questions including: What should you do if someone confides in you that they are concerned about their mental wellbeing? Are th...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Advisor (Rural Property), Anna Gardiner, is joined by Chris Duncan and Darren Albury from Mill Architects. During their conversation we hear about the team’s love of architecture in the countryside, their unique approach to retrofitting rural properties, and how they deliver for rural businesses. This includes work on a recent project that won the Ru...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Membership Communications Manager Carmen McPherson is joined by Caroline Pringle, Project Manager for Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) and newly appointed WES Chairman Miles Montgomerie, along with James Joicey of Ford & Etal Estate. The group discuss the Wildlife Estates International Congress  which was held in Edinburgh at the start of September , and...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing is joined by Simon Ritchie, SLE's Press & Public Affairs Manager to discuss the newly published Programme for Government. This episode was recorded on Friday 8 September. ScotLand Matters is the official podcast of Scottish Land & Estates, hosted by Carmen McPherson and produced by Calum Henderson.   Find out mor...