Put land back into the people's hands
The Scottish Greens have announced plans to stop land being hoarded by a small number of wealthy people.
As part of its 2026 manifesto, the party will limit how much land can be bought by any individual or company to a maximum of 500 hectares, unless it can be proved that ownership will make a significant contribution to the common good.
Scotland’s land distribution is one of the most unequal in Europe, with half of all land owned by less than 1% of people.
The Scottish Greens believe Scotland’s land should be used in ways that benefit our communities, our nature and our environment, rather than simply serving private profit.
Scottish Greens Co-leader, Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“With half of Scotland’s land being held by around 400 people, we have some of the most unequal ownership anywhere in Europe. It will simply not improve until large, wealthy landowners are blocked from buying up even more of our country.
“Scotland’s biggest landowners include aristocrats, billionaires, international royalty and in some cases, the real owners are hidden altogether. Since the SNP came into power the problem has only got worse, and the amount of Scottish land owned by corporations and the super-rich has increased.
“Scotland needs real change, including robust limits on how much land any one person or company can buy and sell.
“Land is power, and it’s not right that the ownership and control of so much of our country is being held by such a small number of people. The inequality has endured for far too long and we badly need to fix it.
"A vote for the Scottish Greens on 7 May is a vote to finally reform Scotland’s broken land ownership system, putting it back into the hands of communities, not the super-rich."
