Land and Rural
As a preeminent and long-standing advisor to the rural sector, we understand the pressures and opportunities present in the sector and can support you in managing their implications. Our advice covers all aspects of purchase and sales, leases, estate management, crofting, sportings, renewable energy and environmental considerations. In addition, we can assist with land registration matters and have developed particular expertise supporting rural businesses realise their ambitions.
Purchase and sales
We can assist you in the purchase, sale and leasing of all types of rural properties including sporting estates, farms, forestry and country houses. We will work with you to ensure the transaction is structured to meet your business and/or personal needs to account for any tax mitigation and future succession planning. We are able to draw on the considerable expertise across the firm including our corporate, employment, private client and tax teams to provide you with a comprehensive and consistently high quality service.
Agricultural leases and crofting
Legislation surrounding both agricultural holdings and crofting has become some of the most complex areas of rural law in recent years. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, we can provide expert advice on your rights and obligations and well as offering support with future plans.
Our expertise includes:
- Fixed duration tenancies
- Right to Buy
- Rent Review
- Resolving Disputes
- Secure tenancies
- Succession
- Transmission (lease assignation)
Diversification
We regularly advise landowners and tenants on a range of diversification projects and offer comprehensive advice on related planning, funding and tax matters.
We are at the forefront on the evolving carbon sequestration market and are already advising landowners and investors on the commercial opportunities in this area.
We can advise on:
- Aquaculture
- Biodiversity
- Carbon capture
- Farm contracts
- Forestry
- Leisure
- Renewable energy
- Retail
- Telecoms
Related services
Our Land and Rural sector team brings together specialist expertise from the following teams:
Work highlights
Estate sales and purchases
Our team regularly handles large, complex estate sales and purchases and acted on over a third of all estate transactions in the Scottish market last year. We also advise on the day-to-day management of some of Scotland’s largest estates.
Forestry
We have particular expertise advising on forestry matters and advising on the emerging area of natural capital. In the last 12 months, we advised on the over £100m of forestry transactions across Scotland.
Farm sales and purchases
Our team is skilled and experienced in agricultural holdings and advised on some of the largest and most complex farm sales and purchases of the last 12 months. Our team oversees the NFUS Legal Helpline and we offer specialist legal services to rural businesses.
News and insights
Carbon sequestration under the Woodland Carbon Code: Some important considerations
OnFARM podcast: Supporting women in agriculture
The latest episode of OnFARM on supporting women in agriculture, with Anna Davies, Gillespie Macandrew’s Lois Newton, Amy Geddes, and Aylett Roan.
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill introduced March 2024
An overview of the content in Part 1 & 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill introduced to Parliament on 13 March 2024.
Gillespie Macandrew announced as Great Glen 2024 sponsor
Gillespie Macandrew is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2024.
Gillespie Macandrew appoints new rural specialist to its partnership
Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew has appointed rural law specialist, Lizzie McFadzean to its partnership.
Key contacts
Our Rural sector team is one of the most highly regarded in the country and includes a number of agricultural law specialists. Please get in touch with one of our team to find out how we can help you.
All team
Contact the Rural team
Please provide a few details about your enquiry in this form and someone in our rural team will get back to you as soon as they can.
There is a wonderful collective team that is able to deliver professional advice, and who are also not afraid to bring in other help when they think it’s in the client’s interest.
The Legal 500