Rural development
We have broad experience and a specialist focus on the development and diversification of rural land for agricultural, renewable energy, residential, natural capital and biodiversity purposes. Along with our tier 1 real estate team and market leading energy and housebuilding teams, we are well versed in advising on the complexities of rural development for a range of purposes.
We understand what matters to landowners and developers, and we use that knowledge to provide you with astute and pragmatic advice – whichever side of the fence you’re on. We regularly provide support to Burness Paull’s wider developer client base, including utility scale energy developers and national housebuilders, on the complexities of rural land and agricultural tenancies.
Agricultural tenancies
Agricultural tenancies have changed significantly over the past 20 years - and with ongoing land reform, they continue to shift. Understanding your position has never been more important, especially as tenancy issues are rarely straightforward.
Our Rural Land and Natural Capital team provides expert agricultural tenancy advice and transactional support, with a particular focus on landowners and developers looking to develop or diversify agricultural land. We have a strong track record of delivering clear, commercial, and strategic guidance on tenancy issues at every level.
Forestry
Forestry is one of the backbones of the Scottish rural economy, and our Rural Land and Natural Capital team supports landowners, investors and operators across this sector. We advise on the acquisition and disposal of forests, woodland and strategic rural estates, acting for both private clients and institutional investors on transactions of all sizes.
We understand that forestry brings complex operational considerations. Our team provides clear, practical advice on a range of ancillary issues, including access and timber extraction rights, servitudes, wayleaves, and shared infrastructure. We ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently, and regularly advise landowners and developers on infrastructure sharing to support energy generation and transmission alongside commercial forestry.
Natural capital
Natural capital is about recognising and enhancing the value of natural assets for both environmental and commercial benefit. Whether driven by environmental goals, planning requirements, or income generation, these projects demand carefully structured land and development agreements to fully realise their value for landowners, developers, and investors alike.
We regularly act for interested parties across the spectrum, from landowners and charities to funders and institutional investors, always with a view to ensuring that each project delivers the best possible outcome for each party’s needs – as well as the environment. We also advise clients in relation to all aspects of the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Carbon Code schemes, including sale, purchase and development of carbon code projects, the sale and purchase of carbon credits, and the implications of these schemes for alternative development and diversification types, including windfarms.
Fishing and sporting
Rural Scotland provides a sportsground like no other for many keen anglers and stalkers. Our Rural Land and Natural Capital team provide advice on all aspects of the sale, purchase and exercise of fishing rights, including salmon, shellfish and trout fishing rights, as well as sporting and deer stalking leases. We also provide specialist advice on these matters to our market leading developer clients, particularly where they can have practical consequences for nearby development.
Rural estate management
We understand that the rural sector faces unique challenges that demand a special kind of legal support. From family farms to large estates, and from forestry to fisheries, landowners must navigate change while identifying new opportunities in a rapidly evolving rural economy.
Our Rural Land and Natural Capital team provide advice to private estates across Scotland, providing both transactional support and day-to-day advice. We work closely with landowners, their funders and their advisers to support them as they navigate the ongoing challenges and opportunities of being a large landowner in Scotland.
Whether it’s negotiating windfarm or natural capital agreements, disposing of surplus estate land and assets, letting agricultural land, advising on access and infrastructure rights, or supporting wider estate objectives, we deliver clear, commercially focused legal advice tailored to the realities of modern estate ownership.
