SEBG members are committed to representing the interests of land-based businesses and rural communities.

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• Overview
• Code of Practice

SEBG is active across a wide range of issues relevant to rural Scotland.

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• Sustainable Rural Development
  • - Enterprise
  • - Agriculture
  • - Renewable Energy
• Environment
  • - Natural Heritage
  • - Access
  • - Leisure & Tourism
  • - Enjoy Estates Initiative
• Communities
  • - Housing
  • - Community Facilities
  • - Education
• Built Heritage

• Affordable Housing
• Atholl Glens Organic Beef and Lamb
• Community Involvement - Langholm Initiative
• Deer Management
• Enjoy Estates
• Langholm Moor Demonstration Project
• Letting of Land to New Entrants - A Roxburghe Estate View
• Climate Change - The Role of Estates
• Creating Opportunities for New Entrants
• Focus on Forestry and Timber
• Role of Fishing in Scotland's Rural Economy
• Rural Renewable Energy Conference & Exhibition

Articles, news releases and publications relevant to SEBG.

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• SEBG News
• SEBG News Archive
• SEBG Publications
• SEBG Publications Archive

If you would like to know more about the Scottish Estates Business Group there are several ways you can contact us.

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• Scotland Map Showing Regional SEBG Contacts

Sustainable Rural Development

Enterprise

SEBG is committed to rural economies and its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.

SAC Report: Contribution and Socio-Economic role of Scottish Estates

According to an SAC report commissioned by SEBG and published in January 2004, estates in Scotland play a vital role in supporting rural communities and make an important social, economic and environmental contribution. The study revealed:

• Economic contributions from typical estates to local communities ranged from £250,000 to more than £2 million
• Estates are significant local employers and large estates often the largest employer in the local area
• Most expenditure by estates goes to local business
• Estates also provide a large portfolio of affordable rural housing with rents below market levels
• Estates are environmentally responsible and successful at conservation through integrated land management

See: The contribution and socio-economic role of Scottish Estates (pdf)

Supporting the development of local businesses

Progressive estates are well-placed to support the development of local businesses, which are so important to the sustainability of local communities:

• The Argyll Estate has helped local businesses thrive by making available commercial units and facilities for let; current activities include kilt-making and business solutions, as well as office space for a fisheries charity and the use of Inveraray Castle's walled garden for a market garden project. The Estate also employs local contractors when services are needed.
• Over 1,200 sq metres of workshop space has been developed for local small businesses in the last 4 years by Atholl Estates , including a small mail order unit employing 20, with another 300 sq metres planned for the next two years.
• The Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre has been developed on the Lothian Estate, with four workshops currently producing leather goods and handbags, tiles and wicker weaving, with local artists' produce for sale.
• Buccleuch Estates act as a business angel, offering support and partnership to cottage industries for supplying local produce for inclusion under the Buccleuch Brands of quality foods.
• Dalhousie Estates made available 42 acres of land in 2000 for the creation of a business park by Angus Council to provide more local employment.