Holyrood has passed a bill which will reform land ownership in Scotland. Some have hailed it as historic, but others say it's too timid.
The Scottish people will soon not just have a right to roam the country but to know who owns it.
MSPs voted to proceed with a bill which will usher in a new, more enlightened era of land legislation, say campaigners.
Community Land Scotland (CLS), which promotes buy-outs and the interests of community landowners, said the new land reform bill marks an important staging post in the democratisation of who owns the country.
In particular, it will go some way towards addressing the glaring statistic that 432 private land owners - 0.008% of the Scottish population - own 50% of the private land in rural Scotland
The journey of land reform is far from over, but this represents another important staging post along the road
The bill, which passed heavily amended, will create a register of landowners and will allow for the forced sale of land if owners block economic development.
A land commission will be set up to consider further reform, and right to roam systems will be improved.
However, while the bill was welcomed by CLS, it was criticised as being too timid and a missed opportunity by environmental campaigner and Green candidate Andy Whiteman.
A CLS spokesman said: “This represents important progress in taking Scotland further down the road toward more enlightened land laws and in extending the rights of communities to own land.
“The bill is far stronger than the bill that entered parliament, because of hard work and sound scrutiny in which we have been pleased to play a part.
“The new register of the people who really own or control land in Scotland will lift a veil of secrecy which has allowed all too many owners to hide behind shell companies registered overseas. Our right to roam Scotland’s land will soon be matched by the right to know who owns Scotland’s land.
“This creates the foundations for continuing reform of land policy and land laws.
“Importantly, future government ministers will be under duties to consider the realisation of the human rights of ordinary Scots at the heart of future policy. Those are people’s rights to decent housing, to economic development and jobs, to a safe and sustainable environment, and to secure food – all matters affected by how our land is owned and used.
“The journey of land reform is far from over, but this represents another important staging post along the road.”
The Scottish Greens said they will keep up the fight for “bold land reform”, saying the bill does not contain strong action on tax dodgers and derelict land.
Whiteman, a Lothians candidate, said: "With a government majority it's simply baffling that the SNP - whose own membership has been agitating for radical measures - have passed up the opportunity to deliver real reforms.
"The Green bid to clamp down on the use of tax havens goes to the heart of understanding who owns Scotland.
"It's also disappointing to see an opportunity missed on derelict land. Taxing such land could generate hundreds of millions of pounds. The SNP are promising a consultation but this is action they could be taking now. Their reluctance speaks volumes about their desire to control from the centre rather than empower at a local level."
However, environment minister Dr Aileen McLeod said: "We are seeing a new dawn for community ownership in Scotland. The bill will allow more communities than ever the opportunity to be involved in decisions about land that affects them.
"The bill has been significantly strengthened since it was introduced last year, following discussions with the parliament and the public."
Meanwhile, the Scottish Wildlife Trust backed measures to strengthen deer management contained in the bill.
The bill was passed on the same day the Scottish Parliament announced a new £10 million Scottish Land Fund, which will provide cash to assist with community buy-outs.
