“I have always operated in a range of sectors, and this has given me an ability and confidence to adapt to new challenges. I am fortunate to currently spend much of my time working in growth areas, mainly electricity networks, and this gives an added sense of purpose to each day.”

Ian advises on property-related matters in a wide range of sectors, including energy, natural resources and the drinks industry.

He has taken the lead on the property aspects of many of the significant electricity transmission reinforcement/upgrade projects across central and southern Scotland since approximately 2013; handles all of the property work for the largest family-owned aggregates business in central Scotland; and handles all of the property work for Chivas Brothers Limited in relation to its extensive portfolio of Scottish distilleries.

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

1994: Scotland

Relevant experience

Electricity Transmission

Eastern Green Link 1 – acquisition of land and land rights near Torness in parallel with preparation of a Compulsory Purchase Order to facilitate an interconnector between Scotland and England.
Glenmuckloch to Glenglass Reinforcement Project – acquisition of land and land rights in East Ayrshire/Dumfries & Galloway in parallel with preparation of a Compulsory Purchase Order to facilitate the establishment of a grid connection for renewable power developments.
Denny to Wishaw Network Upgrade Project – acquisition of land and land rights in North Lanarkshire to strengthen the national grid in that area.
Kincardine North – acquisition of land and land rights in Fife in connection with the development of a collector substation as part of grid reinforcement.
Multiple substation and cable rights transactions in relation to grid connections for renewable power and battery storage developments.

Electricity distribution

Leading a team responsible for the handling of hundreds of substation and land rights transactions every year in relation to the distribution network across central and southern Scotland, including direct and indirect (via independent distribution network operators) relationships with consumers.

Aggregates

Acting in the purchase of multiple businesses and land assets in Scotland and England as part of the continued growth of the largest family-owned aggregates business in central Scotland.

Food & Drink

Acting in the acquisition of land and land rights (principally for water supply) for a global drinks business across Scotland, including for the development of a new single malt distillery on Islay.

Brownfield sites

Acting for separate property developers in the sale of large sites of formerly industrial use, now remediated and available for development into housing and other modern uses.