Land reform has been one of the most significant achievements of the Scottish Parliament. But despite multiple waves of land reform legislation, the ownership, governance and use of land in Scotland remains stuck in the past. An archaic and dysfunctional land market continues to lie at the root of many of Scotland’s most pressing challenges – including the housing crisis, inequality, low productivity, and climate breakdown.

This report explores the key challenges that the forthcoming Land Reform Bill should seek to overcome, and outlines an ambitious agenda for land reform that aims to create a more democratic, sustainable and just Scotland. Our recommendations include bold but credible proposals to transform land market governance, diversify land ownership, develop land in the public interest, restore nature for a just transition, tax land more efficiently, and enhance market transparency.