Who Owns Scotland? I have published the 45th monthly update to Who Owns Scotland which records the ownership of 5100 landholdings covering 5.95 million hectares (14.7 million acres) or over 77.25% of rural Scotland. This project is solely funded by subscriptions. Please consider subscribing. Link in next post.

This is the official map of Scotlands territorial waters (dark blue 12 mile limit) and the UK EEZ (yellow boundary). There is virtually no oil & gas in Scotlands territorial waters (as I recall maybe one small gas(?) field off the coast of Moray). Less than 1% of oil and gas is in Scotlands territorial waters.

But it’s true. Scotland is almost certainly the most centralised country in Europe.

The European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2026 is now in force with important implications for the future of local government. Will blog more on my return from the Pyrenees at end of October. legislation.gov.uk/asp/2026/…

Hard to see how Council can go ahead with a sale and be compliant with s.14(4)(b) of Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 which requires regard for the interests of the residents of Helensburgh - 95% of whom are opposed!!! legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/199…

Greens Re the Greens (E&W) Zionism motion. I know this playbook Elected Greens and office bearers are almost certainly bound by internal standing orders to support and promote party policy (that is the case in Scottish Greens) With Green MPs, Councillors & office-bearers repudiating the motion, expect its supporters and other activists to lodge disciplinary complaints against those who have publicly opposed party policy. If activists control the disciplinary committee, MPs could be barred from standing for election and others kicked out of the party. This is how it goes. I hope it doesn’t come to that as it will destroy and important political voice.

Please tell me what pensions will be in an independent Scotland in 2050. Thank you.

I wrote one of only 2 pieces to appear either in newspapers or online marking the 50th anniversary of the death of local democracy in Scotland. If there is to be a revival, can the people have a say, please? andywightman.scot/2025/05/50…

Local government exists to provide governance to local communities. Seems like we have no voice in the current “debate” or are you going to “consult” us at the end maybe when you’ve decided what to do?

Can anyone advise me how I take part in this 3 month consultation on ScotGov proposals for local government reform when all I can find is an article here gov.scot/publications/public… and no consultation here? consult.gov.scot/consultatio…

Interesting point. Worth noting that local authorities have statutory and non statutory functions - things they must by law do and other things they can do but need not. Within statutory functions are those that are well defined (education must be provided to every child from 5-16) as well as those which are poorly or not defined at all. Libraries fall into the latter end of the spectrum. Running a van round town with some books in the back could be compliant with the duty to provide library services.

Expect much more land in Scotland to be bought up by folk trying to avoid inheritance tax. To add to the tens of thousands already in the hands of external financial interests. Land reform has yet to touch the sides of this because policy makers and politicians don’t see it as a problem. Indeed many in current administration see the Gresham Houses of the world as a good thing for the Scottish economy. wealthclub.co.uk/news-and-in…