The Rural Land Use Study
The aim of this cross-cutting study is to provide an integrated evidence-base on the potential contributions of Scotland's rural land to delivering on the Scottish Government's purpose of sustainable economic growth, and to help in addressing major policy challenges across government and the wider public sector, such as climate change, ensuring food and energy security, and meeting housing and infrastructure needs in response to changing demographics.
The Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD) is managing this Study, with a project team combining experience in natural science, social research and economics. The Study consists of three main research projects, which were commissioned through open competition:
Project 1: Changing Land Use in Rural Scotland: Drivers and Decision-making
Project 2: Realising the Potential Contributions of Scotland's Rural Land to Delivering Sustainable Economic Growth
Project 3: The Role of the Public Sector in Realising the Benefits of Scotland's Rural Land
A smaller fourth project, being carried out internally, is looking at land use data for Scotland to identify gaps in this evidence base.
Findings from these projects were presented and discussed at a Rural Land Use Summit, in Inverness on Monday November 9, 2009, where their implications for land use in rural Scotland were debated by a range of key stakeholders.
The findings have been published and can be found at
RLUS Project 1 findings
RLUS Project 2 findings
RLUS Project 3 findings
If you wish to register an interest in these projects or comment on the findings please send an email to rurallandusestudy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk