WORK is forging ahead towards a public register of land ownership in Scotland.

Off the back of the Land Reform Act 2016, ScotGov ministers are now seeking views on proposals for a register of 'controlling interests' in land, including those from outside the UK.

Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “Improving transparency of land ownership in Scotland goes to the very heart of progressing land reform in Scotland. Today, we start to consult on proposals for a public register of controlling interests in land that will, when implemented, help to ensure that all the people of Scotland can benefit from one of our most vital assets.

“We want the register to result in greater transparency in relation to the individuals who control landowners and tenants in Scotland, but we also want to ensure that the requirements that we develop are proportionate and not unduly onerous on those who transact with land in Scotland."

Ministers are looking for views on:

• The definition of a ‘controlling interest’;

• The scope of the regulations, the type of land they will apply to and the persons to whom the regulations will apply;

• What information should be disclosed and where it should be held;

• The duty to provide the information and the associated sanctions and enforcement arrangements for not doing so;

• The process for challenging information that appears on the register;

• Any exemptions from disclosure.

“We also want to ensure that our proposals can apply to parties from outside the UK in order to deliver the transparency about controlling interests in land owners and tenants that the Scottish Government, and indeed the whole of the Scottish Parliament, wants to see," continued Ms Cunningham.

“This consultation will help us to shape the regulations we take forward and I encourage all interested parties to get involved to ensure that one of Scotland’s most important natural assets is sustainably owned, used and developed in the best possible way.”