Answering the critics!

SIR, – Reluctantly, I’m responding to the continuing comments from some quarters published in your letters pages expressing clear antipathy towards me following my family’s purchase of our farm of which we have been tenants for the past half century.
Wild accusations have ranged from “changing sides”, “trading my principles just to become a laird” to even depriving new entrants of a farm to rent.
Not one of these critics has contacted me personally to discuss their grudges so I invite them to do so. It’s clear they have used the opportunity to undermine the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association with whom I have been associated for more than a decade working for tenants’ rights.
To those critical of our farm purchase, can I point out that it is one of thousands over the last century as Scotland’s land tenure structure continues to change and estates restructure by selling off farms to sitting tenants. Historically, the majority of owner occupied farms in Scotland started as tenanted units.
In common with the rest of the tenants on this estate, we accepted the estate’s approach to sell. With a large investment of capital and labour in the holding over the decades, it was a straightforward and rational decision for the business. 
With three sons all well qualified to succeed and one already taking over the farm business, the purchase was a no-brainer for us, securing a better future for the next generation.
Regarding the ludicrous invective that I have “changed sides” (whatever that’s supposed to mean), I remain involved in the STFA and I will continue working to get a fair deal for tenant farmers and strive towards a more dynamic, diverse structure of land tenure and ownership in Scotland.
The tenanted sector is at a crucial stage as the new Land Reform Act kicks in and I’ll be playing my part to ensure that it implemented as intended. 
As well as benefiting existing tenants with fairer rent reviews, improved compensation provisions, wider succession and assignation, the new Act also modernises new limited duration tenancies which will pave the way for more land to be let and increase opportunities for new entrants. 
The future for the tenanted sector can be bright, but could do without the continual sniping from the sidelines.