Rural Property and Business
Our team of agricultural specialists is deeply connected with the rural world, and many of the relationships we’ve built have lasted through generations. We offer practical advice and insight on succession planning, sales and purchases, renewables projects, agricultural tenancies, and the full range of issues that matter to people who live, work or operate in the rural sector.

The rural world has seen a lot of change in recent years. Land reform, Brexit, taxation changes and climate change have all created uncertainty and risk. We work with individuals and institutions across the rural sector, giving them the specific guidance that they need to move forward in this rapidly evolving environment.

The close connections that many of our senior lawyers have within the rural sector give us a deep understanding not just of our clients’ perspectives and priorities, but the realities and challenges of their day-to-day work. We greatly value the relationships we’ve developed over time, some of which have continued from one generation to the next.

Our legal expertise is exceptionally strong (with five members of our team accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as Specialists in Agricultural Law) and broad, covering everything from renewables to tax to disputes. And this is augmented by support from the other specialist teams within the firm.

All of this means that we’re able to help our clients with all the various legal issues that they might face. It also enables us to proactively guide them – alerting them to new laws or other future developments, and giving them the advice they need to manage those changes successfully.

We have expertise in all areas of rural and estate law, including:

Meet our key contacts

Petra Grunenberg

Partner and Head of Rural Property and Business

Contact by email

+44 (0)1224 343 554

+44 (0)758 588 8647

Connect on LinkedIn

Download vCard

View Profile

Meet our key contacts

Stuart Greenwood

Partner

Forestry, Carbon and Natural Capital, Agricultural Tenancies, Share Farming and Contract Farming Arrangements

View Profile

Petra Grunenberg

Partner and Head of Rural Property and Business

Rural Property and Business, Rural Succession Planning, Renewables, Purchase and Sale of Agricultural and Rural Property and Rural Finance, Farming Partnerships

View Profile

Stephanie Hepburn

Partner

Right of Responsible Access, Crofting Law

View Profile

Hamish Lean

Partner

Agricultural Tenancies, Share Farming and Contract Farming Arrangements

View Profile

Richard Leslie

Partner

Land Management and Diversification, Forestry, Crofting Law

View Profile

Emma Robertson

Partner

Land Management and Diversification, Right of Responsible Access, Farming Partnerships, Crofting Law, Agricultural Tenancies, Share Farming and Contract Farming Arrangements

View Profile

Close

Meet our full team

Kathryn Argo

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Sophie Bailey

Senior Associate

View Profile

Laura Barron

Associate

View Profile

Heather Bird

Director

View Profile

Emma Brown

Solicitor

View Profile

Alanna Buchan

Solicitor

View Profile

Gillian Campbell

Partner

View Profile

Vicky Christie

Senior Associate

View Profile

Christopher Clark

Senior Associate

View Profile

Emma De Sailly

Senior Associate

View Profile

Rebecca Devine

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Lauren Finlay

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Gillian Gibbons

Director

View Profile

Aileen Gordon

Senior Associate

View Profile

Alexis Graham

Partner

View Profile

Olivia Greener

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Stuart Greenwood

Partner

View Profile

Petra Grunenberg

Partner and Head of Rural Property and Business

View Profile

Emma Hendrie

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Stephanie Hepburn

Partner

View Profile

Elaine Hunter

Partner

View Profile

Alexandra Lane

Director

View Profile

Shona Lean

Solicitor

View Profile

Hamish Lean

Partner

View Profile

Richard Leslie

Partner

View Profile

Keith McLaren

Partner

View Profile

Katie McNab

Senior Associate

View Profile

John Morrison

Partner

View Profile

Harry Oliff

Associate

View Profile

Sophie Philip-Davidson

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Scarlett Retallack

Senior Associate

View Profile

Emma Robertson

Partner

View Profile

Alison Rochester

Partner

View Profile

Malcolm Rust

Partner

View Profile

Sarah Shepherd

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Ross Simpson

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Douglas Sinclair

Partner

View Profile

Tom Swan

Partner

View Profile

Fiona Taylor

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

John Townsend

Partner

View Profile

Susie Tweedie

Senior Associate

View Profile

Close

Related articles and insights: Rural Property and Business

3 October 2025

Inheritance disputes and the disappointed farmer

Contributors:
Stephanie Hepburn, Elaine Brailsford

How does the law differ in England and Scotland regarding inheritance disputes? This article outlines two recent inheritance disputes and the key differences of each relating to the different laws north and south of the border.

Read more...

3 October 2025

Green burials. The most environmentally friendly option – until it isn’t

Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn

As green burials become increasingly popular in Scotland as an eco-friendly alternative, addressing practical considerations is essential to minimise potential disputes.

Read more...

2 October 2025

What is a cottar?

Contributor: Ross Simpson

A recently published judgment of the Land Court has shed light on a little-discussed but potentially consequential area of the Scots law of property.

Read more...

24 September 2025

Why legal disputes don’t have to be scary

Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn

Legal disputes do not need to be as scary as they seem. With the right approach, clear advice and an effective dispute resolution strategy, they can often be resolved quickly and effectively.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

1 August 2025

Water disputes

Contributors:
Stephanie Hepburn, Ross Simpson

Private water supplies can be crucial to those living and working in rural Scotland. As demand increases and weather patterns become more erratic, disputes over water rights and responsibilities are rising. We have seen a marked increase in enquires from owners of private water supplies about these matters in recent times. 

Read more...

• Read more related insights.
• Read more related news.

---

Contact us

Petra Grunenberg

Partner and Head of Rural Property and Business

Contact by email

+44 (0)1224 343 554

+44 (0)758 588 8647

Connect on LinkedIn

Download vCard

View Profile