Brodies LLP, recognised for its ‘good depth of knowledge’, continues to be a leading firm in the energy, residential, and real estate spaces. Tracey Menzies, based in Aberdeen, specialises in commercial and residential land acquisition and development, with particular expertise in office developments, housebuilding, energy transition, and senior living projects. The Aberdeen office is also home to Jenna McCosh, who supports a diverse clientele that includes housebuilders, financial institutions, and private property companies. Karren Smith oversees the firm’s Inverness office, advising on property leasing, acquisitions, disposals, and development projects. Gary Webster joined the Inverness office in October 2023 from Ledingham Chalmers LLP.

Burness Paull LLP  is active across multiple sectors including education, energy, and housebuilding. John Strachan spearheads the real estate practice in Aberdeen, where he represents funders in development transactions and developers in the affordable housing sector. The Aberdeen team includes Richard Goodfellow, who leads the firm’s housebuilding sector group,  Stuart Gardiner, who handles an array of transactional mandates and Victoria Sangster, whose experience extends to commercial leasing work for landlords and tenants.

CMS offers comprehensive support across real estate mandates, from financing, development, and acquisition to optimisation, asset management, and sales. The Aberdeen team draws on the expertise of the firm’s Scotland and UK-wide finance, construction, planning, and environmental teams to provide a full-service offering to clients. Carol Nisbet leads the practice, with a strong presence in the renewable energy sector and experience in occupational leasing and real estate investments. Karla Ritchie brings expertise in advising on cross-border portfolio acquisitions for investment management clients.

Pinsent Masons LLP offers expertise in property development and investment, serving both local and national clients with a strong focus on the residential, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Rodney Whyte, who leads the Aberdeen team, specialises in the housebuilding sector, advising landowners, developers, and investors on negotiating purchase and option contracts. He is supported by Michael Shepherd, another expert in housebuilding, who attracts praise for his ‘detailed focus’.

Aberdein Considine advises a diverse client base ranging from sole traders to international businesses and has recently experienced an uptick in instructions related to development and site assembly. Gemma Perfect, noted for her ‘in-depth knowledge in commercial matters’, handles acquisitions and sales, financing, commercial leasing, and residential developments. The Aberdeen office is also home to Lindsey McDiarmid, who supports residential portfolios and rural property clients.

At Blackadders LLP, the practice covers a diverse range of sectors including office, student accommodation, energy, and retail assets. Emma Gray, the main point of contact in Dundee, offers expertise in site acquisitions, option agreements, and affordable housing transactions. In Aberdeen, Neil Robb is a key figure who regularly receives instructions from developers, investors, and builders. Leanne Hill joined the firm's Aberdeen office in June 2024 from Pinsent Masons LLP.

With commercial property lawyers in Aberdeen and Inverness, Ledingham Chalmers LLP is equipped to assist clients with housebuilding, commercial leasing, and investment matters. David Scott, specialising in the sales, acquisitions, and leasing of hotels and licensed premises, co-leads the practice from Aberdeen with John Mitchell, who focuses on representing both landlords and tenants in leasing transactions across the industrial, office, and retail sectors. Mike Morrice joined the Aberdeen office in September 2023 from Burness Paull LLP.

With strong presence in the healthcare, education, land development and retail sectors, Thorntons Law LLP recently expanded its offering to Inverness with the hires of John Smart and Paul Adams from Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP in November 2023. Co-leading the practice from Dundee, Ewan Miller is regularly instructed by Scottish universities, pharmacies, and dental chains. Dundee’s Nicola McCafferty is a ‘go-to person for commercial property transactions’, and over in St Andrews, Janet MacIntyre provides real estate support for cross-border transactions and assists Fife-based clients in the hotel and leisure industries.

Leading Harper Macleod LLP’s Highlands and Islands-based team from Inverness and Elgin, Ross Thomson offers ‘prompt, effective and understandable advice’ to clients in the healthcare, hospitality, and marine economy sectors. Instructed by a wide range of clients in northern Scotland, the team is also active in the public sector, commercial developments, and leisure spaces.

The Dundee team at Lindsays is led by David Rose, who focuses on hotels, student accommodation, and residential developments. James Andrew joined the practice in May 2023 following the firm’s merger with Miller Hendry. This expansion broadened the group’s geographical reach to Perth and has contributed to an increase in mandates from independent schools.

The commercial property team at Stronachs LLP, led by Duncan Campbell from Aberdeen, serves a diverse range of public and private sector clients including developers, oil and gas companies, and private individuals. The Aberdeen office is also home to Liz Stewart, who is experienced in property acquisitions and disposals for development, commercial leasing, and renewable energy projects.