The Scottish and UK governments have been urged to ‘reset’ their relationship with rural Scotland in a renewed effort to restore economic growth and create vibrant local communities.

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has published a new policy prospectus entitled ‘Rural Reset – policy choices from rural voices’ to highlight the need for change in tackling issues that impact communities.

The prospectus has been sent to all Scottish Parliamentarians at Holyrood and Westminster as well as government ministers. It follows the recent farmer-led protests in London and Edinburgh and comes ahead of the Scottish Budget on Wednesday.

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Vice-chair, policy, Scottish Land & Estates, Patrick Colquhoun, said: “We hear plenty of talk across the political spectrum about the need to listen to rural voices. Now is the chance to back those words with action.

“It is time for decision-makers to reconsider tackling the challenges facing rural Scotland. Rural communities and businesses have often felt that the issues we encounter play second fiddle to those in urban areas.

“It is time for a reset and if that happens then we will have a policy platform that has rural at heart and will help create and sustain vibrant communities underpinned by strong economies.”

Scottish Land & Estates has set out a list of priorities including:

  • Introducing rural impact assessments which involve direct engagement with communities and businesses.
  • Removing barriers to investment to help deliver net zero and biodiversity targets.
  • New measures to increase supply of affordable housing.
  • Securing a multi-annual farming budget to give farmers security.
  • Reviewing legislation that is undermining the tourism sector.

“We want to work with governments, their agencies and local authorities to meet shared objectives in terms of climate change, restoring nature and delivering benefits for all”, said Patrick Colquhoun.

“There is no shortage of rural businesses willing and able to play their part and this prospectus sets our very clearly tangible steps that we hope policy makers will embrace enthusiastically.”