Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner as the Ullapool native says the role is a ‘duty that I don’t take lightly’
The well-respected former SNP Westminster candidate Dr Lucy Beattie has been appointed one of two new Land Commissioners for Scotland after receiving parliamentary approval.
Ministers selected Dr Beattie alongside Dr Calum MacLeod while Robert Black was appointed a Tenant Farming Commissioner after they were recommended by an independent panel.
The Scottish Land Commission is concerned with looking at the concentration of ownership, taxation, and effective use of land for the common good as well as providing some scrutiny of laws and policies related to land.
Ministerial appointments to the commission are subject to parliamentary approval with the appointments due to be confirmed and publicised next month at the completion of that process.
Dr Beattie said: “It’s a great honour to be selected for this role and to work and learn alongside a fantastic team.
“There are so many opportunities for landholders and communities to work together to achieve outcomes to share good practice for land management and I’m looking forward to the work involved.
“This is a duty that I don’t take lightly. Twenty five years ago as an undergraduate at Harper Adams University I wrote a thesis on the potential impacts of the initial legislation for land reform – it was an exciting time for Scotland and land reform is a progressive route to achieving some critical outcomes for our country.
“In this century we face new challenges - existential challenges, notably climate change and biodiversity loss which are at the forefront of people’s minds. But, in Scotland we also face localised challenges - a housing crisis, lack of access to services and opportunity in rural areas.
“Undoubtedly the judicious management of land holds the key to achieving positive outcomes to address these challenges and this has been advanced by the considerable body of work by the commission to date.”
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I would like to congratulate Dr Beattie, Dr MacLeod and Mr Black and look forward to working with them.
“They have the opportunity to build on past achievements and I know that they will continue to work hard to create a Scotland where everyone can benefit from the ownership and use of the nation’s land and buildings.
“I would like to thank Dr Sally Reynolds and Lorne McLeod who are stepping down as the Land Commissioners, as well as the outgoing Tenant Farming Commissioner Dr Bob McIntosh for his leadership and achievements as Tenant Farming Commissioner.
“From getting the Commission established on time to developing it into a well-respected and trusted voice on land reform, the achievements of the outgoing members are numerous.
“They have undertaken key research and informed policy decisions, whilst Bob’s many achievements and leadership have been invaluable in establishing the role of the Tenant Farming Commissioner as a trusted voice and advocate.”
