Million acre community ownership target – getting there may not be so easy

But the figures also show that the vast majority of this land is in just two local authority areas: Highland and Na h-Eileanan Siar.

In particular, very little land is community owned in urban area: in some central belt council areas, none at all.

New legislation which is now in force, the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 aims to extend the ways in which community groups across Scotland can acquire land from both private owners and from public authorities.

Scottish Legal News is sponsoring a seminar later this month which looks at how the new legislation aims to make a difference, how it will work in practice, and why there have recently been some high-profile unsuccessful applications to use the community right to buy land.

Full details of the seminar programme, speakers, and how to book, can be found here: new-rights-for-communities-to-buy-land-and-acquire-public-assets-tickets-41186118790