With fewer than 10 days until the Scottish Elections on 7 May, the Scottish Countryside Alliance has produced a simple, clear and comprehensive guide comparing how each of the main parties’ manifestos addresses the key issues facing rural communities.

Rural issues are often low on the political agenda and the Scottish Countryside Alliance will always fight to make the rural voice heard in Holyrood. We ensure that rural issues are not pushed aside and we work to protect the rural way of life.

By analysing and presenting the commitments each party is making, the Scottish Countryside Alliance hopes to empower voters to make informed decisions. This in turn will help ensure that the needs of the countryside are properly understood and considered within the democratic process.

With current polling suggesting that once again the SNP will take power under a minority government, we must consider the implications of who they will potentially ask to join them to form a coalition government. Last time out, the SNP lost rural confidence by getting in bed with the Scottish Green party and our countryside suffered significantly as a result.

One thing for sure is that Holyrood will look remarkably different to that of the 2021 outcome. There are 129 seats up for grabs in the Scottish Parliament and 42 MSPs have decided not to stand again in the 2026 elections. This means that there will be a large percentage of new MSPs in Chamber after 7 May, which will give us a great opportunity to establish and renew cross-party working relationships during this next parliamentary session.

According to recent political monitoring by IPSOS, there is still everything to play for with 40% of people who declared a vote intention in Scotland also say they might change their mind. We should know the outcome of these elections by Friday evening on the 8 May.

Take a look at the key points from each manifesto that will impact on the rural way of life. Some are positive: some, less so. You can decide who represents you best on 7 May 2026.