Duke’s ‘dismay’ over plans for land reforms

The Duke of Buccleuch said he now plans to sell off much of his 240,000 acre estate in the south-west of Scotland because of the changes which would allow Ministers much more influence over proposed planning decisions.

Nationalists want to establish a permanent land reform commission, strengthen the rights of tenant farmers and change the law so that landowners can no longer leave all their land and buildings to a single heir.

They also hope to re-introduce business rates for shooting on deer stalking estates.

However, campaigners claim this could this put a question mark over their ability to survive.

Yesterday, Richard Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch, spoke of his fears.

In an interview at Drumlanrig Castle, the centrepiece of Buccleuch holdings, he said the political situation was his main motive for “slimming down” – but concern about the ability to fund development of all the land properly was also a factor.

The Duke said: “Over the next five or 10 years, I think we’ll reduce our exposure to land.

"This estate will almost certainly get smaller.

“There’s a need to be pragmatic about the politics of the time and also what we’ll be able to afford to look after well – and I have anxiety on both fronts.

"I’d be surprised if, in 10 years, we’re not noticeably smaller.”

He added: “We’re more stimulated and stirred up than ever to look after what we have as well as we can. 

“I and the management team are determined to carry on rethinking the use of the land, of farms and forestry, to ensure it delivers the best for the local community.

"I can understand people who have a deep-down visceral dislike of others who own large amounts of land. 

“All I can do is try to make a case for our stewardship of it as being good and responsive to the best interests of the community.”

But he also warned that misconceived reform could put the upkeep of historic houses such as Drumlanrig Castle in peril.

He said: “There always been an umbilical cord almost linking these great houses with the land around them. 

“Within a generation or two it will become increasingly difficult to look after them.” 

The lobby group Scottish Land and Estates has expressed “extreme concern” at the proposed powers, while the Scottish Conservatives have denounced them as “simply unacceptable”.

But the move will be welcomed by campaigners who say over-concentrated ownership in Scotland undermines communities and stunts economic growth.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said land “must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few.” 

But she also said responsible landowners should be “valued and respected” and planned moves did not represent “some kind of class warfare”.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Landowners should not view any of the measures being proposed as a threat – unless they deem themselves bad landowners.”