Scottish Land & Estates has appointed a new press and public affairs manager to strengthen their parliamentary engagement team ahead of a busy year for rural legislation in Holyrood.

Cameron Gillies joins the team after serving as chief of staff to Scottish tory rural affairs spokesperson Rachael Hamilton MSP.

Originally from rural Aberdeenshire, Cameron graduated from the University of Edinburgh before embarking on a career in public affairs. He also has experience working in rural businesses in his home village of Alford.

Cameron will be helping to lead SLE’s engagement with politicians, government, and other stakeholders.

He said: “Rural Scotland is facing some huge challenges in the coming months and years, not least legislatively. I know that SLE will be playing a leading role in helping to tackle these, and get things right for our rural communities. I am really looking forward to playing my part in this.”

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Cameron will be a fantastic addition to our team.

“We are delighted that he has joined us at this incredibly busy time. His ability to get things done in Scottish politics will be a real asset for us as we look to engage effectively with politicians and government officials.

“Having led the opposition’s approach to rural legislation in recent years, his experience will be especially helpful in shaping our approach to new laws in agriculture, nature, wildlife, and land reform.”