Minutes: 18 June 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private.

2. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Gail Watt, Convener, Property and Land Law Reform Sub-committee, Law Society of Scotland;

Fergus Colquhoun, Advocate, Faculty of Advocates;

Dr Jill Robbie, Senior Lecturer (School of Law), University of Glasgow;

Don Macleod, Partner and Grierson Dunlop, Partner, Turcan Connell.

Edward Mountain declared an interest in a farming partnership in Moray, as set out in the register of interests. Specifically, he declared an interest as owner of approximately 500 acres of farmed land, of which 50 acres is woodland. He also declared that he is a tenant of approximately 500 acres in Moray under a non-agricultural tenancy and that he has another farming tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. He also declared that he sometimes takes on grass lets on an annual basis.

Ben Macpherson declared he is registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors and indicated he had previously worked with Dr Jill Robbie.

3. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.