New farmers are set to gain fresh opportunities on public land after Forestry and Land Scotland announced plans to expand its support for the next generation in agriculture.
The move was unveiled by Agriculture and Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie at AgriScot, where he confirmed that Forestry and Land Scotland has identified an initial block of farms that will be made available to new entrants.
A review of existing and potential tenancies has found fourteen immediate opportunities that will be timed to fit the farming year and allow applicants to access farm support schemes.
These first fourteen opportunities will be offered from spring 2026, with an annual programme of further chances for new entrants to follow.
Alongside the new lets, Forestry and Land Scotland will work closely with its existing new entrant tenants to help them grow and strengthen their businesses.
The organisation also plans to build on the farming element of its integrated land management at Glen Prosen and is in talks with neighbouring estates in the Angus Glens about how new entrants might be brought into wider area plans.
Mr Fairlie said the move reflects a broader ambition to make the most of Scotland’s public land for communities, nature and the rural economy.
“As well as timber production, conservation and community empowerment, Forestry and Land Scotland’s continuing effort to make best use of public land is expanding its commitment to the agricultural community,” he said.
“Providing further opportunities for new entrants to farming will act as a leg up for young and novice farmers and help boost the sector’s long term prospects.”
He said the organisation’s approach to integrated land use deserves recognition.
“This approach to developing its vision of integrated land management by balancing multiple objectives, including promoting agriculture and new entrants to farming, is to be commended and I look forward to seeing how this develops, particularly in the Angus Glens,” he said.
Forestry and Land Scotland has been a key partner in the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants Scheme since it was set up by the Scottish Government in 2016.
Since then it has offered 136 farming opportunities to new entrants and now manages 225 agricultural agreements on Scotland’s national forests and land, covering almost 25,000 hectares.
Fifty three of those agreements are held by new entrants.
David Leven, Director of Commercial Development at Forestry and Land Scotland, said supporting agriculture is now firmly embedded in its day to day work.
“Optimising our agricultural offering has become business as usual for us and we always have an eye on where there might be further opportunities,” he said.
“We hope that over time we will be able to attract a wider range of new entrants and enable them to establish and grow their farming business.”
He said the organisation is working with neighbouring landowners in the Angus Glens to see how farming opportunities for new entrants can be woven into strategic plans for the wider area.
The expanded programme is being seen as a practical boost for young farmers and those seeking their first foothold in the industry at a time when access to land remains one of the biggest barriers to starting out.
Ministers and sector leaders hope the new opportunities will help secure the future of family farming and mixed land use, while supporting rural communities and local economies for years to come.
