Addressing inequality and securing the long-term viability of fragile rural and urban communities also emerged as a key theme, with sessions on housing and repopulation; community renewable energy and engaging young people in community ownership very well attended. Case studies from Huntly Development Trust, Coigach Community Development Company and WATIF demonstrated how community ownership of land underpinned the creation of vibrant, local wellbeing economies which retained wealth in the local area and supported the reinvigoration of the population.

Josh Doble, Policy Manager with Community Land Scotland said “The conference demonstrated the strong mandate Community Land Scotland has for pursuing an ambitious Land Reform Bill. Further community landownership will help address the key challenges facing Scotland by underpinning the creation of resilient, circular, sustainable local economies and cultures which will help create more housing and jobs, retain and grow local populations while also helping Scotland’s ecosystems recover. Local communities want to protect, enhance and expand the green and blue spaces around them and ensure they live in an environment in which their families and communities can thrive. Concentrated land ownership has resulted in Scotland having some of the most degraded land in Europe, whereas our members are leading the way in renewable energy and ecological restoration. The long-term solutions to the nature crises, cost of living crisis, growing inequality and political, economic and cultural alienation are for us to think locally by empowering communities around Scotland in order to address the global challenges we face.”