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

Senior Associate

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Lauren White

Solicitor

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Related articles and insights: Land Management and Diversification

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

Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn

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.

Loch in Scotland with mountains surrounding it

8 December 2025

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: what has changed for the management of large landholdings?

Contributor: Emma Brown

With the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill now passed, land management obligations for large landowners have been more clearly defined.

3 December 2025

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill 2024 – A quick guide to the final version

Contributor: Lauren White

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill 2024 was passed on 5 November 2025. The Bill as passed is different to the original version in several important ways.

8 September 2025

Right to roam v right to resort: Scottish Borders Council approves draft byelaw for Center Parcs development

Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn

Scottish Borders Council backs a draft byelaw to restrict public access at the proposed Center Parcs site near Hawick, sparking debate over Scotland’s right to roam and the future of open countryside.

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