The SNP have come out on top with another 5 years in power to add to their previous 19 years, but what are they going to do for rural Scotland this time around?
They now have a decision to make, if it hasn’t already been made. Given that they failed to win a majority, they may choose to form a coalition with the Scottish Greens when we will undoubtably feel a deja vu moment. You will remember during August 2021, the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced a “groundbreaking” alliance with the Scottish Greens, known as the ‘Bute House Agreement’.
During the period of the Bute House Agreement, rural communities were confronted with a series of legislative measures that many felt threatened established and successful approaches to land ownership and management. A succession of Acts—including the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, the Hunting with Dogs Act and the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act -moved through Parliament, reflecting the growing influence from the Green side of Holyrood. Critics argue that this influence steered policies seen as ideologically driven, often overlooking the practical realities faced by those living and working in rural Scotland.
If the Scottish Government have any sense whatsoever, they will see that this is a clear opportunity to take a different path— a new start that begins with genuine collaboration between our sector and policy makers.
By listening carefully, valuing lived experience and practical knowledge, and shaping policy in genuine partnership with the communities it affects, there is a real opportunity to build stronger and more effective outcomes for rural areas.