Rural Development and Diversification Solicitors

Land Management and Diversification
Landowners are increasingly moving away from traditional farming practices, and looking at alternative uses for agricultural land that can be commercially beneficial. We advise on a wide range of such projects.

We have extensive experience of advising clients on a broad range of rural diversification projects across Scotland. These might be farm shops and restaurants, camping and holiday let accommodation, education and training facilities, event and conference venues, renewable energy projects, telecoms infrastructure or forestry, to name just a few.

Whatever the form of your diversification project, to maximise your chances of success it’s essential to start with a full understanding of the legal and commercial picture: agricultural holdings legislation, planning matters, tax implications, and securing finance. We can provide all the advice and guidance you need. When required, we work seamlessly with your other professional advisers, and can bring in our firm’s experts in other areas – such as tax, renewables, and regulation.

Meet our key contacts

Richard Leslie

Partner

Emma Robertson

Partner

Meet our full team

Vicky Christie

Senior Associate

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Emma De Sailly

Senior Associate

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Gillian Gibbons

Director

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Hamish Lean

Partner

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Katie McNab

Partner

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Emma Robertson

Partner

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Lauren White

Solicitor

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Related articles and insights: Land Management and Diversification

23 October 2026

Picking pumpkins not problems

Contributors:
Killian Dockrell, Shona Lean

Pumpkin-picking is one of many rural diversification projects that involve bringing members of the public onto your land. These inevitably bring health and safety concerns too.

18 May 2026

Expanding a rural business can increase health and safety risks

Contributors:
Shona Lean, Killian Dockrell

Rural landowners whose businesses are open to the public need to take appropriate steps to ensure their customers’ health and safety.

24 March 2026

Real burdens: a real problem for rural development?

Contributors:
Shona Lean, Stephanie Hepburn

A ‘real burden’ is a legal restriction on how a piece of Scottish land can be used. This can create problems for people who want to diversify rural businesses.

Rural Scottish countryside Isle of Skye Scotland

3 March 2026

Lotting Decisions – What has changed in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025?

Contributor: Alexandra Rowell

With the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill now passed, the lotting decision rules for large landholdings are now being implemented.

6 January 2026

Right to roam v right to resort: Planning permission granted for Center Parcs Scotland

Contributors:
Stephanie Hepburn, Eva Curran

Scottish Borders Council has now granted planning permission for the Center Parcs holiday village near Hawick, following its earlier decision to approve a draft access byelaw for submission to the Scottish Ministers for statutory consultation. The decision balances Scotland’s right to roam against security, operational needs, and significant projected economic benefits.