Land Reform Is Back on the Agenda
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Issue 12 Summer 2013 Land reform is back on the agenda I think we can all agree that legislation should be reviewed regularly to ensure it is working properly. However in the case of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the review comes much sooner than one may have expected. With regard to expansion of community ownership, there is a view that such activity has been much less than expected and there must be constraints causing that. But, it could just be that community aspirations are already being met without the need for ownership through the establishment of good relationships between communities and local landowners. I would hope that as a modern, forward-thinking estate and a family-owned, land-based business It is surprising that it wasn’t asked Scotland’s large estates, and we are one we have built relationships with specifically to review the effectiveness of those, are of course under scrutiny communities over the years that meet of the 2003 Act, how it’s working, where in this process. But I am confident their aspirations without ownership of it’s not working, and where it might that the good we do, the services we the actual land being a relevant issue. be able to work better. Provided it is provide, the ‘public goods’ we deliver, to focused on land use outputs rather than use the jargon of the day, far outweigh Those who own land are in a unique ownership considerations I would expect the alternatives, and I hope and believe position to deliver social and public its conclusions to bring a reasonable that the Review Group in its evidence- benefits – housing, recreation, amenity, addition to or modification of the gathering will recognise and value the jobs and so on – and we do. And this original 2003 Act. existing contribution that we make to latest land reform review presents us society as a whole and the opportunities once again with an opportunity to It is already clear that some MSPs to build on that positively. prove this. will not be satisfied with that. Johann Lamont took the land reform concept to I hope that the review process will be The Land Reform Review Group is a new level in her speech to the Labour conducted equitably both in an urban the independent body established conference this spring. She said that and rural context and that we can move by the Scottish Government last year “land reform had stalled under the SNP,” to a period of stability in legislation. I to “identify how land reform will and then declared that “if it is in the hope that the Review Group is moderate enable more people in rural and public interest, communities will have and reasonable in its approach so that we urban Scotland to have a stake in the the right to purchase land, even when can all, no matter how many acres we ownership, governance, management the land owner is not a willing seller.” own or manage, sign up to its proposals and use of land, which will lead to a That seems a dramatic extension of with confidence. greater diversity of land ownership, compulsory purchase - but full marks to and ownership types, in Scotland.” her for laying her cards on the table. Sandy Lewis, Chief Executive; Strathspey Estate Office, Old Spey Bridge Road, CONTACT US - If you have any comment on the Andrew Norval, Property Director; Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3NQ. content of this news review, or wish to contact Will Anderson, Forestry Director, T: 01479 872529 F: 01479 873452 Seafield or Strathspey Estates on any relevant issue Seafield Estate Office, Cullen, Buckie, Banffshire AB56 4UW. E: [email protected] then you can write, or telephone our offices: T: 01542 840777 F: 01542 841413 W: www.strathspey-estate.co.uk E: mail@seafield-estate.co.uk W: www.seafield-estate.co.uk Tillynaught Bridge Aberdeenshire Council was faced with the unhelpful weather, the fine new structure challenge of deciding what, if any, replacement was completed in early 2013 and opened should be provided. After several public to traffic on 13 February. Tn November 2009 the north-east meetings, it became clear that a vehicular experienced one of the worst floods in living bridge was required not only for general public All concerned are very grateful to the memory, with significant damage caused to access but also for local farmers, including efforts of Aberdeenshire Council Infrastructure roads and infrastructure. several Estate tenants, who had land on Services and McLeods the contractor, for both side of the water. their hard work in bringing the One of the most prominent victims was the replacement bridge to reality. substantial stone arch bridge at Tillynaught, With design, planning approval and funding in a strategic vehicular crossing of the Burn of place, as well as the acquisition of additional Boyne near Cornhill, which was completely ground from the Estate, work commenced washed away. in the summer of 2012 and, despite some Bogtown Farm’s latest Heat from Estate resources then a chipper makes enough for a year’s use. The chips are then stored in a shed on expansion the Estate and the fuel store attached to the boiler is topped up using Estate labour. Old Cullen, the principal residence on the Three new shiny silos mark the spot estate, has benefited from a new biomass There has been a significant financial where the Bogtown Farm grain dryer has heating system which will not only reduce outlay, qualifying for support from the been expanded to improve intake and carbon emissions and help the environment, Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive storage capacity. This upgrade is in line but will also save 70% on heating costs. (RHI), and because the chips are home with other improvements which have been The new biomass boiler was commissioned produced on the Estate, the savings in taking place in the operation, including last year to replace an oil heating system, running costs are substantial. the use of bigger combine harvesters. and the new eco-friendly system will be Bruno Berardelli of Highland Wood Energy used to heat Old Cullen and a flat nearby. Described as ‘the weakest link’ the original said: “We believe that the expansion of wood grain drier was over 30 years old and was The project, which was carried out by Highland Wood Energy from Fort William, (or biomass) heating will provide significant struggling to cope with increased demand. socio-economic and environmental benefits The new enlarged facility, which is nearing took six months to complete from design to installation. for the whole country. We are delighted completion, will increase intake from 60 to have worked with Seafield Estate on tonnes to 100 tonnes per hour, catering The highly efficient boiler will use 100 this project, and are looking forward to for the higher volumes now processed tonnes of wood chips a year which come converting more old oil boilers with by the plant. from Estate timber. It is felled, seasoned and them in the future.” Work on the new grain complex started at the end of 2012 and is expected to be finished in July this year – just in time for the harvest. The cost of the project was around £380,000 and the increased storage space and enhanced performance will make the wet weather less of an issue during harvest. Page 2 Timber Harvesting section, closer to the village was planned A total of 1500 holly and juniper were to be thinned in 2012. Because of the high planted in some of the cleared sections to recreational use of the woodlands and the provide additional screening and introduce Capercaillie interest, the Estate worked more tree species to the wood to improve Most trees on the Estate are grown closely with the Boat of Garten Community, habitat. Later in the year cultivation, similar with the intention of harvesting them as Scottish Natural Heritage and Cairngorms to that planned for Loch Vaa, will be carried a crop at some time. The age of cropping National Park Authority to ensure that out, along with some minor road repairs can vary, along with the method. Timber people were fully aware of the need for the once the Capercaillie breeding season production works in harmony with habitat work and its likely effects during operations. has ended. and recreation management and the fellings at Loch Vaa and Boat of Garten are Along the edges of the internal roads more two good examples. trees were removed to provide opportunities for regeneration of young pine. This Loch Vaa regeneration will help screen the centre of the woods to reduce the disturbance of The pine trees at Loch Vaa were planted ground nesting birds by recreational users, in the mid 1800s, making them around as well as generally improving the habitat 150 years old. Normally these would have and amenity by introducing another been harvested around 50 years ago but age class of trees into the woods. this stand was left, possibly because it was near a loch and aesthetically pleasing. Part Mature pines and trees which had the of the stand surrounding the loch is now potential to become features were retained designated as a Site of Special Scientifi c and, where existing bankings already limited Interest and a special Protection Area for visibility into the plantation, trees were kept its beetles, Slavonian Grebe and Goldeneye up to the track edge to avoid creation of duck. Any felling has to take account of an unnatural corridor effect. these designations and also other species management concerns relating to In order to carry out the timber harvesting, the Capercaillie.