The Scottish Land Commission, including five Land Commissioners, the Tenant Farming Commissioner and support staff are to be based in Inverness.

Hilary Pearce, a Scottish Government civil servant, has also been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer to establish and support the work of the Commission and its 20 staff until summer 2017.

The new Scottish Land Commission will review law and policy, and make recommendations to the Scottish Government on matters relating to Scotland's land. The Tenant Farming Commissioner will also be part of the Scottish Land Commission, and will develop codes of practice and provide support to the tenant farming sector.

Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "The Commission will have an important role reviewing policy and legislation, help to influence future developments relating to the ownership of Scotland's land and how we ensure communities across Scotland realise their potential."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd held their annual show and sale of suckled calves at Ayr on Thursday when the champion animal in the yard was a Limousin heifer shown by Messrs Young, Tormitchell which scaled 290kg and sold for £2200. Reserve was a 390kg British Blue Cross bullock from Emma McAllister. Langalbuinach that went on to fetch £1500.

The 175 heifers forward averaged 240.9p per kg and £720.74 (-£48.25 on the year with an average weight 2kg lighter), while 232 bullocks levelled at 258.7p and £820.78 (+£9.96 for 4kg less).

There were also 1418 store lambs that were a poorer show for quality resulting in all classes cheaper on the week and an overall average of £46.37.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd had 406 store cattle and suckled calves forward at their fortnightly sale in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to 248.8p and averaged 203.7p, while bullocks peaked at 230.3p and levelled at 206.2p.

There were also 4783 breeding and feeding sheep that included 1904 Blackface wether lambs that sold to £60.50 for the 1st prize pen from Mountbenger and averaged £51.16 (+£4.22 on the year).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd had the largest show for some time of 4869 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday that sold to £98 per head and 240p per kg to average 168.5p (-2.5p on the week).

Another massive show of 6958 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £130 for Texels and average £63.78 (+87p), while light ewes peaked at £62 for Lleyns and levelled at £33.92 (-£3.63). Rams sold to a centre record of £310 for a Texel and averaged £77.52.