Minutes: 28 January 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:

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

Andrew Howard, Managing Director, Moray Estates;

Dennis Overton, Chair, Ardtornish Estate;

Tim Kirkwood, Chief Executive, Wildland;

Dannie Onn, Director and Chair, Colonsay Community Development Company;

Megan MacInnes, Local Development Manager, Applecross Community Company;

Laura Hamlet, Chief Executive, Coigach Community Development Company.

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 take on grass lets on an annual basis.

Edward Mountain indicated that he had known Andrew Howard and Tim Kirkwood professionally through his work as a surveyor before becoming a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

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

The Committee considered the evidence heard under agenda item 2.

4. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.