Across South Scotland, communities are rewriting the story of land ownership -- shifting from absentee landlords to local stewardship, and from fragile rural economies to thriving, resilient places. The movement for community empowerment and land reform is no longer just a vision; it’s becoming reality.
One of the most inspiring examples is the Langholm Initiative, which successfully led the buy-out of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. This landmark achievement saw the community take ownership of over 10,000 acres of land previously used as a grouse moor. Now, the reserve is a haven for nature restoration, sustainable tourism, and climate action. It’s a powerful demonstration of what communities can achieve when given the tools and trust to lead.
In Dumfries, the Midsteeple Quarter project (where I previously worked) has transformed the town centre through community-led regeneration. Their first redevelopment, The Standard, is now complete, and other buildings in the Quarter are home to thriving high street businesses. This initiative shows how reclaiming urban spaces for public benefit can breathe new life into local economies and civic pride.
Elsewhere, groups like the Glentrool and Bargrennan Community Trust are repurposing former public buildings into vibrant community hubs. Their transformation of a village school into a visitor centre and outdoor activity base is a testament to grassroots innovation.
These successes are rooted in a deep tradition of common ownership in South Scotland. The Common Ridings of towns like Jedburgh, Dumfries, Hawick, and Selkirk celebrate this heritage annually, reminding us that community ownership is not a radical new idea but instead a return to values that have long sustained rural life.
Yet, challenges remain.
While communities are proving what’s possible, outdated systems of land ownership continue to hold many places back. Across Scotland, wealthy individuals and corporations are hoarding derelict land - often in town centres - leaving it unused for years while waiting for its value to rise. This practice, known as landbanking, blocks regeneration and stifles opportunity.
The Scottish Greens are pushing for a new tax on these neglected sites, empowering councils to charge landowners who refuse to bring their properties into productive use. This reform would not only raise funds for local services but also unlock land for affordable housing, community projects, and thriving high streets
The Scottish Government’s rhetoric on land reform must be matched by bold action. Legislative changes, such as those proposed in the new Land Reform Bill, are essential to dismantle the outdated structures of concentrated land ownership and empower more communities to follow in Langholm’s footsteps.
You only need to look at recent controversies around the sale of the Armadale Estate in Skye and the Griffin Forestry Estate, near Aberfeldy in Perthshire, to see how little say local communities have over the ownership of the land that sustains them.
When communities are trusted to lead, they choose sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term wellbeing. Land reform is not just about property - it’s about power, justice, and the future of Scotland’s people and places.
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Laura Moodie
Scottish Green Party Candidate for South of Scotland
