A movement for Community Ownership

Supporting and representing people across Scotland taking control of land and assets

Community Land Scotland is the national representative body for community landowners — a growing movement of people taking control of land, buildings and assets to shape their own futures.

We bring together over 140 member organisations from across Scotland, from community-owned estates in the Highlands and Islands to urban community hubs, reflecting the diversity and strength of community ownership in practice.

Together, we work to ensure community ownership plays a central role in creating a fairer, more sustainable Scotland.

Our Story

Community Land Scotland was founded in 2010 by a group of pioneering community landowners who recognised the need for a collective voice for the movement. Since then, we’ve grown alongside the communities we represent — from the early buyouts on the west coast to new forms of ownership emerging in towns, cities and islands across Scotland.

Today, community ownership is transforming local economies, tackling depopulation, restoring nature, and empowering people to shape the places they call home.

Our Values

Advocate

We share knowledge to make a difference

Bold

We take on the critical issues not the easy ones

Creative

Creativity is intrinsic to everything we do

Inclusive

We are open and we work in partnership

Trust

Trust is the bedrock of everything we do

Resilience

We have the strength to support ourselves and others in a challenging environment

These values shape how we work day-to-day. They are grounded in a wider set of beliefs about land, power and community in Scotland.

What We Stand For

We believe that a more socially just Scotland cannot be achieved without addressing the issue of concentrated land ownership. Supporting the growth of community ownership is key to creating a more diverse and balanced pattern of land ownership across the country.

We believe communities should have the power to lead development in their own areas. Democratic ownership of land and assets is a vital way for people to shape their futures and respond to local needs.

We believe communities should share more fully in the benefits of the natural resources around them. When land and natural assets are owned and managed locally, they can support long-term wellbeing, economic resilience and environmental stewardship.