The Scottish Greens have announced plans to limit how much land can be owned by individuals or companies, as part of their 2026 election manifesto.
The proposal would introduce a cap of 500 hectares on land ownership, unless it can be demonstrated that holding more would deliver a clear benefit to the common good.
The party says the move is aimed at addressing what it describes as one of the most unequal patterns of land ownership in Europe.
Figures cited by the Greens suggest that around half of Scotland’s land is owned by less than one per cent of the population.
Under the proposed policy, large scale land purchases would face stricter scrutiny, with the intention of preventing further concentration of ownership among wealthy individuals and corporate interests.
The party argues that land should be used in ways that support communities, protect the environment and deliver wider public benefit, rather than being treated primarily as a private asset.
Scottish Greens co leader Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“With half of Scotland’s land being held by around 400 people, we have some of the most unequal ownership anywhere in Europe.
“Scotland needs real change, including robust limits on how much land any one person or company can buy and sell.”
Ms Mackay also pointed to the role of large estates, corporations and overseas owners in shaping land use across Scotland.
“Land is power, and it’s not right that the ownership and control of so much of our country is being held by such a small number of people.”
The proposals come amid growing political focus on land reform ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on the 7th of May.
The Greens say their plans would help rebalance ownership and give communities a greater role in shaping how land is used.
Critics are likely to argue that such limits could affect investment and rural economies, setting the stage for further debate during the campaign.
Land ownership reform is expected to be a key issue in the election, with competing visions emerging over how Scotland’s land should be managed in the future.
The Scottish Greens have set out plans to cap land ownership as part of a wider push to address inequality and reshape how land is controlled and used across Scotland.
