Exploring land use

THE Scottish Land Commission is holding a public event in Dumfries next week exploring how land can be used to shape the future of the local community.

They are inviting people from the area to take part and discuss how land can help in creating jobs and homes and improving public spaces — as part of wider efforts to build a fairer, greener Scotland.

The event, part of the Commission’s ScotLand Futures initiative, will take place at The Standard, Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries, at 7 pm on September 11.

The Commission is particularly keen to hear from residents, community groups, landowners, businesses and anyone with an interest in how land decisions affect life locally.

Michael Russell, chair of the Scottish Land Commission, said: “Land is central to how we live but it can often feel like these decisions happen at a distance from local communities.

“This event is a chance to bring the conversation closer to home. We are here to listen to local experiences and make sure the future of land reform in Scotland reflects the reality on the ground.”

If you can’t attend in person, you can still have your say by completing the ScotLand Futures survey, which is open until Friday 6 September.