FIVE Land Commissioners and the Tenant Farming Commissioner have been selected for the first Scottish Land Commission.

The appointments, which are subject to Parliamentary approval, are as follows:

* Land Commissioners - Andrew Thin, currently the Government's Independent Advisor on Tenant Farming; Professor David Adams, a senior academic with significant experience of planning and development, land reform and urban issues; Megan MacInnes, who works part-time and remotely as a land advisor to Global Witness, a London-based NGO; Lorne MacLeod, a chartered accountant by trade and currently Chairman of Community Land Scotland; Dr Sally Reynolds, who coordinates the Lewis and Harris Greylag Goose Management Scheme on behalf of SNH.

* Tenant Farming Commissioner - Dr Bob McIntosh, who is a retired civil servant with extensive experience in public policy, in particular in land management and forestry.

Scottish Ministers have selected Andrew thin to chair the Commission, which will be located in Inverness and will be operational from April 2017

Meanwhile, Patrick Machray has announced that he is to step down from his role as Chairman of Scotland's Rural College in October 2017 after taking up the post as recently as October 1st last year.

Mr Machray's involvement with the college began when he joined the boards of SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) and SAC Commercial in 2007. He became Vice Chair of each board in 2012 before becoming SRUC chairman in 2015.

Market round-up

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4118 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £110 per head and 245p per kg to average 166.3p (+1.6p on the week).

There were also 5240 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £147 for Texels and averaged £67.77 (-86p), while light ewes peaked at 369 for Lleyns and levelled at £38.59 (+3p). Rams sold to £146 for a Texel and averaged £74.13.

ENDS