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Latest news and insights

Gillespie Macandrew appoints new partner and promotes 11 others

Gillespie Macandrew announces the promotion of Lorna Balfour to partner in its industry-leading Land & Rural Business team.

Strike Action, but not as we know it

In February, takeaway drivers at a variety of “gig economy” delivery platforms took part in “strike” action to demand better pay and working conditions.

Changes in law for Trusters to be aware of in 2024

Trusts & Succession Act: what are the changes for Trusters to be aware of before they become law in 2024.

NEWS AND INSIGHTS

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12 January 2024 | Time to read: 2 mins

Gillespie Macandrew appoints new rural specialist to its partnership

By Robert Graham-Campbell , Robert Scott-Dempster

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew has appointed rural law specialist, Lizzie McFadzean to its partnership.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 4 mins

Wildlife Crime Law Update

By Cheryl Hogg

With the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill currently at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament, we look at how trap offences will change if the bill is passed.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 3 mins

Agricultural Support Schemes Update

By Fiona Scott

Legal Director Fiona Scott provides an update on support available to rural businesses.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 2 mins

Gillespie Macandrew take on the Great Glen Challenge

We were delighted to sponsor and have 2 teams take part in this year's RSABI Great Glen Challenge.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 4 mins

Abandoned Cars and Caravans – What options do landowners have for removal?

By Elaine Kennedy-Walton, Leeanne Ballingall

With fly tipping becoming an increased concern for landowners, we highlight some key points to consider should you find vehicles abandoned on your private land.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 2 mins

Secured Borrowing – important update for farmers and rural businesses

With changes to the law affecting the way in which farm tenants and small businesses borrow money, we set out details of the 'Statutory Pledge'.

14 September 2023 | Time to read: 5 mins

An overview of natural heritage designations

By Jenna Wayth

Jenna Wayth has prepared a brief overview of natural heritage destinations in Scotland.

04 September 2023 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2023

By Lois Newton

Listen to the latest OnFARM podcast recorded ringside at Fife Show 2023, featuring members of the our Land and Rural Business team.

21 July 2023 | Time to read: 4 mins

Don’t become complacent about farm safety

By Cheryl Hogg

It is crucial to reduce the risk of incidents occurring on farms - what steps can be taken?

19 July 2023 | Time to read: 3 mins

Vicarious Liability – What Landowners need to know

By Jenny Purdie

Agricultural working can present many risks and dangers. Here we highlight the duties and liabilities of landowners who are employers.

31 May 2023 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: Ringside at Fife Show

By Sam Conington

Listen to the latest OnFARM podcast recorded ringside at Fife Show 2023, featuring members of the our Land and Rural Business team.

18 May 2023 | Time to read: 3 mins

Gillespie Macandrew to sponsor Great Glen Challenge 2023

By Lois Newton

Gillespie Macandrew is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2023.

04 April 2023 | Time to read: 14 mins

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament

By Ashley McCann

The Scottish Government recently introduced the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, Ashley McCann highlights the headline provisions of the Bill.

04 April 2023 | Time to read: 3 mins

Repairing Standard to be extended to the Rural Sector

By Stephen Gamba

Overview of the recent Repairing Standard guidance published by the Scottish Government.

04 April 2023 | Time to read: 2 mins

Business Property Relief for Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code

By John McArthur

With the Government's commitment to Net Zero by 2050, we discuss the business property relief for the Woodland Carbon Code and the Peatland code.

13 February 2023 | Time to read: 4 mins

Why we need to keep talking about the challenges of working in the agricultural Sector

By Lois Newton

With the agricultural sector experiencing challenges due to the current global economy pressures we discuss the help available to Scottish Agricultural industry

22 December 2022 | Time to read: 1 min

Gillespie Macandrew partner appointed to board of trustees at RSABI

By Robert Graham-Campbell , Lois Newton

Gillespie Macandrew is pleased to confirm the appointment of Lois Newton as a Trustee of RSABI.

02 December 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Grouse Licensing update

By Ashley McCann

The Wildlife Management in Scotland consultation is seeking feedback on the key provisions that are set to be contained within the Bill.

02 December 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Grain harvest concerns as we come into winter

By Jamie Seath

We analyse these global effects on the grain harvest amongst other challenges, creating a complex climate for rural businesses. 

02 December 2022 | Time to read: 4 mins

Examining Agricultural Tenancies Reform

By Fiona Scott

Agricultural tenancy reform is once again on the Scottish Government’s agenda with their proposals for change contained in two separate consultations.

24 October 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Raising the Bar for Farmhouses: Repairing Standard and EPC’s

By Elaine Kennedy-Walton

From 28 March 2027, it will be necessary for agriculture housing to meet the repairing standard requirements. Here we discuss what this means for landlords.

18 October 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

In Scots Law, what makes a contract into a lease?

Have you sometimes wondered how to tell whether a deal you wish to document, or a document which you are examining, amounts to a ‘Lease’ or not?

31 August 2022 | Time to read: 3 mins

NFU Scotland Legal Helpline – we CAN help

By Sam Conington

The NFU Scotland Legal Helpline is a service we run to provide NFU Scotland members with 20 minutes free legal advice.

24 August 2022 | Time to read: 5 mins

The Scottish Government’s latest consultation on Land Reform – A Review

Latest Consultation on Land Reform - Is there a proper evidence base, and does it focus accurately on the issues?

02 August 2022 | Time to read: 8 mins

Planning for Afforestation

By Sandy Telfer

Many Scottish landowners have sought to add value to unproductive land through afforestation, although what planning is required?

02 August 2022 | Time to read: 3 mins

Reminder on Public Access Rights

By Cheryl Hogg

Perhaps most feel they are familiar with the principle, but some aspects are less well known, and some have been the subject of litigation over the past decade.

30 June 2022 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: RHET at the Royal Highland Show

By Alan White, Amy Eakin

Listen to the latest OnFARM podcast recorded at the Royal Highland Show 2022, featuring members of the our Land and Rural Business team.

23 June 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Considerations around the Energy Performance Certificate and agricultural tenancies

By Amy Eakin

The current Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) requirements are set out in regulations from 2008, and provide information on how energy efficient a building

16 May 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Tornagrain | New Town Development

By Amy McDowell, Derek McCulloch, Robert Scott-Dempster

We act for Tornagrain Limited, part of the Moray Estates group, in connection with the development of the Tornagrain new town.

16 May 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Viking Energy | Wind Farm Development

By Amy McDowell, Derek McCulloch, Colin Hamilton, Alan White

We act for Viking Energy Wind Farm LLP in respect of the major wind farm development on mainland Shetland.

07 April 2022 | Time to read: 3 mins

National Test Programme

By Sam Conington

The Government’s overarching aim is to pass a new Agricultural Bill and for replacement framework and legislation to be in place for implementation in 2026.

05 April 2022 | Time to read: 3 mins

Land based tax reforms in Scotland?

By John McArthur

The report includes substance from various other sources and specifically ties into A Framework for Tax, published by the Scottish Government in December 2021.

04 April 2022 | Time to read: 5 mins

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022

By Sam Conington

Parliament has given Local Authorities until 1st October 2022 to establish a licencing scheme in their area.

31 March 2022 | Time to read: 4 mins

Natural Capital and Existing Leases

By Amy Eakin

Carbon capture and how landowners might be able to capitalise on it has been at the forefront of the rural business sector.

28 March 2022 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: Access to knowledge through NFU Scotland’s legal helpline

By Alan White, Jamie Seath

OnFARM producer Dave Howard visited law firm Gillespie Macandrew, whose Land and Rural Business team manages NFU Scotland’s legal helpline.

24 March 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Recent Slurry Regulations: due diligence is imperative

By Jamie Seath

The aim of these regulations is to minimise leakage from stores and to reduce ammonia emissions caused by imprecise spreading methods, such as splash plates.

03 March 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Gillespie Macandrew bolsters land and rural business team with promotion of Lois Newton to partner

By Robert Graham-Campbell , Lois Newton

Leading Scottish law firm, Gillespie Macandrew has promoted experienced rural lawyer Lois Newton to partner.

02 February 2022 | Time to read: 3 mins

Know your roots: Responsibilities for a fallen tree

By Rachael Burke

Scotland is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, the same however cannot be said for its weather.

01 February 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Legal issues in Agri-Tourism

By Jamie Seath

Many Agri-Tourism businesses include interactive experiences involving livestock, which presents its own set of risks to manage.

28 January 2022 | Time to read: 4 mins

The Register of Persons holding a Controlled Interest in Land

By Eilidh Adams

The Register of Controlled Interests in Land (RCI), part of the Scottish Government’s land reform agenda, will go live on 1st April 2022.

01 January 2022 | Time to read: 2 mins

Repairing Standard to farmhouses

By Sam Conington

In 2019 the Scottish Government made changes to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and one of these changes is that farmhouses must meet the ‘repairing standard'.

21 December 2021 | Time to read: 5 mins

Green Opportunities – How Nature Can Work for Landowners and Investors

By Sam Conington

Over the last 18 months the Covid-19 pandemic dominated our lives, however as always, the climate crisis was lurking in the shadows.

13 December 2021 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: SAYFC visit to Learielaw Farm

OnFARM's Ross Montague and Gillespie Macandrew's Dave Halligan tag along for one of the visits, to Learielaw Farm in Broxburn near Edinburgh. 

02 December 2021 | Time to read: 3 mins

Carbon sequestration under the Woodland Carbon Code: Some important considerations

By Robert Scott-Dempster

With the surge in interest and corresponding hike in the value of tree planting, we discuss some important considerations when looking at land opportunities.

19 November 2021 | Time to read: 5 mins

There Will Be Mud

By Cheryl Hogg

With wet weather and the darker days leading to less visibility, farmers are reminded of their potential liability for leaving mud on public roads.

19 November 2021 | Time to read: 3 mins

A spotlight on partnership property and Inheritance Tax

By John McArthur

A spotlight on partnership property and Inheritance Tax.

25 October 2021 | Time to read: 1 min

OnFARM podcast: Supporting women in agriculture

By Lois Newton

The latest episode of OnFARM on supporting women in agriculture, with Anna Davies, Gillespie Macandrew’s Lois Newton, Amy Geddes, and Aylett Roan.

18 August 2021 | Time to read: 4 mins

Staycationers – Opportunity or Liability for Landowners?

By Elaine Kennedy-Walton

Wild camping, motor-homing, caravanning and outdoor pursuits such as paddle boarding are all seeing massive surge in popularity.

18 August 2021 | Time to read: 2 mins

Staycationers – Money from the Aire? Opportunities for Landowners and Tenants

By Elaine Kennedy-Walton

With current trends towards caravanning and motor-homing there has also been demand in Scotland for more Aires which are common across European destinations.

22 July 2021 | Time to read: 5 mins

Farm safety – the “seen” and “unseen” hazards

By Lorna Balfour

Farm Safety Week across the United Kingdom is important in highlighting most common categories of workplace dangers and hazards in the agricultural sector.

22 June 2021 | Time to read: 5 mins

Paying farmers to retire: political havering or right on the money?

The scheme as proposed would see farmers receive a one-off payment of up to £100k for surrendering their land or tenancy.

31 May 2021 | Time to read: 4 mins

Register of Controlling Interests

By Lois Newton

The Scottish Government implemented a key part of its Land Reform vision when new regulations came into force on 1st April 2021.

27 May 2021 | Time to read: 3 mins

Refund Rights

By Sam Conington

The question of refunds can become a grey area.

27 May 2021 | Time to read: 5 mins

Tier 3 and it’s off to the countryside we go……

By Cheryl Hogg

For land managers: a calm head, regular checking of land, dialogue and education will all be key in navigating through uncharted territory.

27 May 2021 | Time to read: 3 mins

Say Cheese, Please

By Lorna Balfour

The viability of any businesses, especially those of farming and rural business, is dependent on cashflow and lending to further generate a future.

27 May 2021 | Time to read: 4 mins

Scottish Planning System – Rural Update

By Colin Hamilton

Scottish Planning System - Rural Update

10 February 2021 | Time to read: 4 mins

Mediation – what is it and how does it work?

By Alan White

Mediation, once a little known or understood concept, now becoming recognised as an effective tool for businesses and landowners alike.

03 February 2021 | Time to read: 3 mins

Relinquishment

The relinquishment rules introduced by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 are being brought into force on 28 February this year.

03 February 2021 | Time to read: 4 mins

A year of change…..and there’s more on the way

By Sam Conington

A year of change…..and there’s more on the way With the Tenant’s Amnesty, Brexit and of course Covid-19, 2020 was not quiet for those in agriculture.

18 January 2021 | Time to read: 9 mins

Land Reform Update

Land and Rural Business Partner, Mike Blair discusses a 25 year perspective of Land Reform.

15 October 2020 | Time to read: 4 mins

Right to roam vs right to privacy

By Jamie Seath

With people urged to stay at home, the right to privacy saw a revived importance in our new way of life.

15 October 2020 | Time to read: 4 mins

Tax implications for the UK post-Covid – Rural Update

By John McArthur

As a country we have become used to relatively low rates of taxation, but it appears now that current tax rates will be increased, at least for a period.

20 April 2020 | Time to read: 4 mins

The Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development

By Alan White

Over a number of years there have been various pieces of land reform legislation including the Community Right to Buy Schemes.

26 November 2019 | Time to read: 2 mins

Safeguard your rural family business

By Lindsay Bryce MacKay

Many potential issues might be avoided if a Will is put in place.

18 July 2019 | Time to read: 4 mins

The Fatal Five

By Alan White

Pause before undertaking an activity and consider the risks posed and how you can reduce them.

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