LANDOWNERS have launched a new blueprint to work with communities after research highlighted the contribution made by family-owned country estates to rural societies.
Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners, has produced a document designed to give advice about increasing "visibility and approachability" of members and offering ideas for ways to use their assets in collaboration with local groups.
It comes after a report by Scotland's Rural College found examples of "positive, productive interaction" between family estates and communities as landowners. However, Community Land Scotland, which represents community buy-outs, has said further land reform is still needed.
Douglas McAdam, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said yesterday: "The reality is that estates are, in the main, part of their communities, entwined in many aspects of rural social and economic life and view strong working relationships as a necessary element of their business.
"The new programme will work flexibly to reinforce those relationships while encouraging even more landowners to build strong local ties."
Sarah Jane Laing, director of policy and parliamentary affairs at Scottish Land & Estates, added: "The new Community Engagement Programme recognises some of the great activities already being driven forward by many estates and provides a blueprint for other landowners to follow suit."
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