Crown Estate Scotland announces £4.5m in funding to help rural tenants

Crown Estate Scotland has announced £4.5m in funding to help tenants in its four rural estates.

The investment, split over 2017-18 and 2018-19, will be used to construct and upgrade farm buildings and to improve infrastructure.

Crown Estate Scotland began operating in in April 2017, with all revenue profit going to the Scottish Government. It has around 115 farms and over 200 agricultural tenancy agreements based on its four estates.

The body said that, as well as supporting tenants in their day-to-day operations, the funding will also benefit the wider rural economy.

Some of the works will support tenants in developing and diversifying their businesses, many of which are situated in remote rural locations.

Fiona Simpson, asset manager at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “We always aim to support our tenants and be a landlord of choice, and this capital investment programme is further demonstration of that.

“As the needs and requirements of our tenant farmers are constantly evolving, we can’t stand still. We continue to work to find new ways of helping to ensure they have the facilities they need to benefit their operations, which in turn is good for the wider local economies where they are.

“Of the £4.5m, most is being raised from sales of residential properties and development land, as well as a small number of farms.

“For the longer-term, we will be speaking with stakeholders about a rural estate strategy. It’s important that tenants can input to this so we’ll ensure they have the opportunity to feed in ideas and comments.”