Farming’s future depends on opportunity, and for many in my generation, that opportunity starts with access to land.
I’ve heard people describe Scotland’s tenanted sector as being in “managed decline.” What a depressing phrase for something that should be full of potential. The tenanted sector has been, and still could be, one of the greatest assets we have for bringing new talent and fresh energy into farming. For those of us who don’t come from landowning families, tenancies are often the only route into the industry. A vital springboard to build a business, a future, and a life on the land.
As Chair of NFU Scotland’s Next Generation Committee, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the Union’s committees on the Land Reform Bill. It’s been a real eye-opener, and at times, a real worry. We’ve had some strong discussions about what the Scottish Government is proposing for agricultural tenancies, particularly around resumption and potential changes to both secure and modern (2003 Act) tenancies.
Our main concern is simple: we must not undermine confidence in letting land.
Yes, there may be areas where change is needed for older, secure tenancies. But when it comes to modern tenancies, our message has been clear, leave them alone. These arrangements were introduced to bring flexibility and confidence back into the system. If government starts “tinkering” now, that confidence will evaporate, and with it, opportunities for new entrants.
If you were a landowner, would you offer a tenancy knowing the rules might change again in a few years? Probably not. And that’s exactly the problem. We risk legislating in a way that makes access to land even harder, at a time when it’s already one of the biggest barriers facing my generation.
Historically, big estates were the main providers of tenancies, and in my area, many still are. But looking ahead, I think the opportunities of the future are just as likely to come from family farms, people who are stepping back, or whose children have chosen a different path. For them to feel comfortable letting out land, they need confidence that the system is stable and that government has their back, not a policy that makes things riskier or less attractive.
So the question for me is this: how do we turn decline into opportunity?
It starts with confidence, from both sides.
We need people who own land to believe they’re on firm ground if they decide to let it out. We need tenants to trust that they can build a business without fear of sudden policy changes. And we need open, honest communication and good professional advice to make those relationships work.
The Tenant Farming Commissioner plays a crucial role here too, providing a safety net and building trust between tenants and landlords. But beyond that, we need policy that enables letting, not discourages it. Policy that incentivises landowners to provide opportunities for the next generation, not push them away.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about ownership or tenancy, it’s about the future of Scottish farming. It’s about ensuring that our generation has a fair shot at producing sustainable, profitable food for the country we love.
And that’s something worth fighting for.