Praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and experience’, the agriculture and estates team at Anderson Strathern regularly works with notable Scottish estate clients, handling major sales and administration matters. John Mitchell leads the team in advising on agricultural tenancy negotiations and is commended for his ‘exceptional experience’, while Adele Nicol assists on the full range of related contentious matters. Other key names in the team include Tim Macdonald, who is reputed for his advice on natural capital and renewable projects, and ‘outstanding’ Sheonagh Richards, who is noted for her experience in employment arrangement restructurings. Linsey Barclay-Smith and Anne Chapman are also recommended.

The ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ team at Brodies LLP acts for a wide and impressive roster of clients, including estate owners, local councils, natural capital project developers, and rural businesses, which regularly instruct the firm in major sales, acquisitions, and agreement negotiations. The team boasts particular experience in renewable energy projects and rewilding projects. Clive Phillips leads the team, and broadens the practice’s offering with considerable experience in rural commercial matters. With a focus on residential developments, Alex Buchan is another key contact, alongside Kate McLeish, who handles intra-family transfers and lease negotiations. Graeme Leith and Andrew Askew Blain are also recommended. Partner Gary Webster joined in October 2023 from Ledingham Chalmers LLP.

Gillespie Macandrew LLP’s ‘experienced and well-rounded team’ is led by the ‘exemplary’ Robert Scott-Dempster, working heavily in mixed-estate sales and acquisitions. Noted for its wide roster of major Scottish estates, the team is frequently instructed to handle complex agricultural lettings, renewable energy development projects, and contentious lease-related matters. Fraser Leslie is a key contact in the team for onshore renewables, while Alan White focuses on farming-related matters. Lois Newton and Lorna Balfour are further names to note, handling matters concerning crofting law and related tax planning issues. Lizzie McFadzean joined from Anderson Beaton Lamond in January 2024.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s deep bench of ‘ highly knowledgeable and respected leaders’ continues to be highly active in handling the full range of agricultural and rural matters. Hamish Lean leads the team, advising on contentious and joint ownership and farming partnership issues. The team’s offering is further bolstered by Richard Leslie, who is known for his expertise in forestry, contaminated land issues, and renewable energy projects. Petra Grunenberg handles sales and transactions, and Stuart Greenwood deals with carbon-related mandates. Emma Robertson was promoted to partner in May 2023, and other key contacts in the group include Hazel Anderson and Alexandra Lane.

The ‘hugely capable agriculture and estates team’ at Turcan Connell acts for a wide roster of private clients, landed estates and public sector entities on the full range of agriculture and real estate-related issues. Practice head Don Macleod is the key contact for natural capital matters and Fraser McDonald assists on commercial transactions and renewable energy project-related purchases. Former head of Gillespie Macandrew LLP’s Perth office, Murray Soutar joined the team in February 2023, leading on agricultural tenancy matters, while Grierson Robert Dunlop is recommended for his experience in handling forestry-related mandates for agricultural clients and investors.

The ‘tenacious, accurate, and experienced’ team at Harper Macleod LLP acts for a wide roster of clients, including rural property owners and private sector bodies, handling the full range of agricultural and estate mandates. The practice showcases a ‘vast wealth of knowledge’ in forestry, natural heritage, and crofting work. Graeme Nisbet leads the team, broadening the practice’s offering to include natural heritage and national park authority cases, while Calum MacLeod specialises in crofting, agricultural tenancies, and general rural property matters. Focusing on farm acquisition and expansion mandates, Tom Gray also leads on commercial forest sales, and tenancy implementation issues. Hannah McIntosh is another key contact in the team.

Praised as ‘extremely knowledgeable’, Lindsays focuses on forestry and woodland sales and agreements, in addition to renewable project development. Practice leader Michael Yellowlees is instructed on purchases by private individuals, while Susan Law advises a wide range of commercial clients on developmental matters, and negotiating complex lease structures. The team has experience in handling cross-border acquisitions of feudal dignities, tax-related issues and estate registrations. Alistair Duncan joined the team in May 2023, following the firm’s merger with Miller Hendry.

The rural and agricultural team at Murray Beith Murray LLP handles a broad range of property sale and acquisition mandates, wealth management, and rights and leases matters. Team leader Andrew Linehan showcases ‘exceptional knowledge of agricultural law’ works closely with the private client team on tax and succession issues. Other key contacts in the group include Emma Walker, Anna MacLeod, and Nicola Roberts.

With offices across Scotland, the rural and agricultural  practice at Thorntons Law LLP maintains a broad regional reach, regularly servicing private individual, estates and commercial clients. With extensive experience in crofting and renewable development mandates, Kenneth Mackay leads the team and Lesley Mearns handles forestry sales and purchases. Newly promoted partner Debbie Dewar handles leasing matters, while Rebecca Ellwood and Robin Dunlop continue to assist with cross-border transactional cases.

Led by Linda Tinson, the agriculture and estates team at Burness Paull LLP ‘has developed into a major presence in the market’, servicing a wide range of clients in transactional, estate, and business structuring matters. Situated within the firm’s wider public client practice, the team has extensive experience in handling succession, land reform, and regulatory changes. Lorna McKay leads on renewable energy and natural capital mandates and Alan Gibson is another key contact in the group.

Davidson Chalmers Stewart’s agricultural and estates practice sits within the firm’s wider commercial law practice, handling a wide range of rural property transactions. Practice head Andy Drane leads on farming partnership, land use, and estate planning matters, while Henrietta Talbot assists on various secured lending issues, particularly regarding forestry. The team also handles sales of sporting estates and advise on related disputes. Louise Jones is another key member of the team.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP showcases ‘great knowledge of the agricultural sector’ and maintains a wide regional reach, servicing major agricultural and private clients. ‘Focused and dedicated’ Hazel Moir leads the team and advises on the full range of rural property related-transactional work, while Lois Craig focuses on agricultural tenancy mandates. Lynne McElroy further bolsters the team with experience in sales and acquisitions, while Ross McNaughton handles renewable energy matters. Gary Webster left in August 2023.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts counts public and private sector organisations among its key roster of clients, handling a range of estate management and agricultural tenancy issues. Practice head Matthew Barclay handles land reform mandates, while Gail Watt has extensive experience advising on crofting issues. Rowena Claxton continues to advise on offshore wind project developments, and property portfolio restructurings, while Adrian Bell bolsters the team’s corporate capabilities. ‘Experienced commercial litigator’ Richard McMeeken is another key member of the team.