ScotLand Matters: The Scottish Land and Estates Podcast

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Adviser (Rural Property), Anna Gardiner, is in conversation with Steve Wood, Technical Director of Conservation for Narro Associates. Expect to find out: The purpose of a structural engineer How the skills a structural engineer possesses which complement the work of an architect on a project And some background into the restoration work which has bee...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Director of Moorland Ross Ewing sits down with Southern Uplands Moorland Group's Regional Coordinator, Mark Ewart, and Audrey Williams, who runs SUMG's ladies group. Expect to find out: how grouse shooting takes place the broader activities that the group engages with how the ladies group was formed and much more! This episode was recorded on Saturd...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, Tony Stevenson, our Director of Operations, explains why attending the Royal Highland show, and other shows and fairs across Scotland throughout the Summer is so important, not just for members, but for colleagues as well. You'll also hear an introduction and closing thoughts from our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing, Dee Ward's first Royal Highland Sho...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing sits down with SLE Chairman Dee Ward to discuss his new role within SLE, and hopes for the future. This episode was recorded on Thursday 4 May 2023. ScotLand Matters is the official podcast of Scottish Land & Estates, hosted by Carmen McPherson and produced by Calum Henderson.   Find out more about Scottish Land & Estates - ...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Membership Communications Manager Carmen McPherson sits down with our outgoing Chairman Mark Tennant to discuss his tenure in the post, and hopes for the future. This episode was recorded on Thursday 4 May 2023. ScotLand Matters is the official podcast of Scottish Land & Estates, hosted by Carmen McPherson and produced by Calum Henderson.   Find out mor...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing is joined by Simon Ritchie, SLE's Press & Public Affairs Manager. This episode focuses on the current political landscape in Scotland. Listeners can expect to hear thoughts on various topics, including: Scotland's new First Minister, Humza Yousaf. Yousaf's newly appointed cabinet. What might these changes mea...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Adviser (Rural Communities) Sarah Madden is joined by Shona Glenn, Wellbeing Economy Lead at BiGGAR Economics. This episode focuses on the recently launched report " The Contribution of Rural Estates to Scotland’s Wellbeing Economy ". Listeners can expect to hear answers to questions, including: Why was the report commissioned? Why focus on...

'ScotLand Matters: the Scottish Land & Estates Podcast' provides listeners with the opportunity to hear recently recorded discussions and interviews with fascinating people and senior figures from all over rural Scotland. From chief executives to the leaders of small initiatives, and from land managers to estate owners, ScotLand Matters offers a peek behind the curtain at those who hel...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Director of Policy Stephen Young speaks with Gillian Ogilvie, Managing Director (Edinburgh) at Will Rudd. This episode covers questions around Passivhaus Standards and retrofitting properties. Listeners can expect to hear answers to questions, including: What are Passivhaus Standards? What do these standards mean and what considerations need to be made for...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Adviser (Rural Property) Anna Gardiner sits down to speak with Clare Dunlop, Senior Associate Lawyer and Solicitor at Brodies LLP. This episode covers questions around the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act which was introduced by the Scottish Government last year. Expect to hear answers to questions, including: Does the Cost of Living...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, find out about our Clydeside Regional Support Officer Nic MacLeod's recent trip to the Isle of Bute to meet and speak directly to some of the people directly involved with the running of Mount Stuart. The second of two episodes, this podcast features conversations with Mark Low, Mount Stuart Trust’s Countryside Ranger, and Lynsey Nairn, Mount Stuart Trust’s...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, find out about our Clydeside Regional Support Officer Nic MacLeod's recent trip to the Isle of Bute to meet and speak directly to some of the people directly involved with the running of Mount Stuart. The first of two episodes, this podcast features conversations with Campbell MacFadyen, Mount Stuart Trust’s Chef and member of Bute Kitchen, and Louisa Davis...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, our Business Development Manager Hannah Lloyd chats with Charlotte Gilfillan, Senior Associate Rural Land Management, Highland at Bell Ingram. This podcast aims to expand upon ideas that Charlotte brings up in her article in the latest edition of the LandBusiness Magazine. This podcast was recorded on the 18 August 2022. This podcast was edited by Joanna McPhil...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, recorded the week of the Royal Highland Show, our Head of Policy Stephen Young chats with Lesley Mitchell of Whitriggs Farm, Sarah-Jane Laing, Scottish Land & Estates' Chief Executive, and Nic MacLeod, Clydeside Regional Support Officer for SLE. The conversation answers questions about the background of each individual, their experiences in agriculture...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, our Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing sits down with Bob McIntosh, the Tenant Farming Commissioner with the The Scottish Land Commission, for a discussion around issues faced by those in the tenanted sector, looking at what's next, and how to encourage more people to get into farming. This episode was recorded on 14 June 2022. ScotLand Matters is the officia...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, our Wildlife Estates Scotland Project Officer Caroline Pringle sits down with ​Mark Reed, Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship and Co-Director of the Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). This episode works as a companion piece to an interview with Mark, featured in the latest edition of LandBusiness Magazine, asking quest...

In this episode of Scotland Matters, our Business Development Manager Hannah Lloyd sits down with ​Liz Barron‑Majerik, Director at Lantra Scotland, along with Alicja Blaszczyk and Rory Donaldson who were both winners at this years Lantra Scotland's ALBAS. Find out about the ALBAS, the winners, advice for young people looking to work in the rural sector, and much more! This episode was recorded...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Digital Projects Manager Calum Henderson chats with Caroline Pringle, Project Officer for Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES). The first in a series of upcoming WES-themed episodes, this is the perfect place to find answers to any questions you may have about the initiative. Whether you are well-acquainted with WES, or hearing about it for the first time, this...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Adviser (Rural Communities) Sarah Madden sits down with Mark Myles, Partner and Head of Planning Scotland at Bidwells. The episode answers questions you may have around the draft National Planning Framework (NPF4), including an explanation of what it covers, and its relevance and importance for rural Scotland. We are delighted that representatives fr...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, our Policy Adviser (Rural Business & Property) Lindsay Duncan sits down with Neil Freshwater, Public Affairs Manager at VELUX. The episode covers VELUX's findings on the Healthy Homes Barometer, an annual research-based report that takes the pulse of Europe's building stock. This episode is sponsored by Velux, and was recorded on 8 March 2022. ScotL...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, Scottish Land & Estates’ Head of Policy Stephen Young speaks with Partner and Head of Development and Planning for Bidwells, Andrew Wood, on strategic planning. The episode covers various questions around development and planning, including: What 'strategic planning' means  The different kinds of developments such planning can relate to The sort of...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, we're sharing with you the Keynote Address given by Lord Deben at our Virtual Annual Conference: The Business of Climate Change. This recording was captured on 29 September 2021.  A video version of this recording with an additional Q&A session is available to listen to on our website - www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk ScotLand Matters is the official p...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, we're sharing with you the keynote address given by Professor Sir Dieter Helm, CBE at our Virtual Annual Conference: The Business of Climate Change. This recording was captured on 29 September 2021. A video version of this recording with an additional Q&A session is available to listen to on our website - www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk ScotLand Matter...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, Scottish Land & Estates’ Digital Communications Officer Calum Henderson speaks with Ross Macleod of The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) about the Trust's demonstration farm at Auchnerran. Expanding upon 'Focus on the future of farming,' an article in the Autumn 2021 edition of LandBusiness Magazine (available online now), this epis...

In this episode of ScotLand Matters, Scottish Land & Estates’ Head of Policy Stephen Young speaks with Andy Turnbull of Bidwells on the subject of natural capital. The episode covers various subjects, including different variations of land uses (including regenerative agriculture), climate change, biodiversity, and more. This episode is sponsored by Bidwells, and was recorded on 24 August 2021...