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Land reform book ticks all the boxes





Former chairman of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association Angus McCall, of Culmaily farm, Golspie, reviews Rob Gibson's latest book

Rob Gibson is the author of a new book on the story of land reform, a subject that has been close to his heart throughout his adult life. Reclaiming Our Land gives an insight into Mr Gibson’s many years of direct involvement in land issues – from his early days as a student campaigner to his work in the Scottish Parliament and beyond.

The cover of Rob Gibson’s new book.
The cover of Rob Gibson’s new book.

Rob began his political career in local politics before being elected in 2003 as SNP regional MSP for Highlands and Islands. He was re-elected in 2007 and went on the win the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in 2011 when he was appointed convener of the rural affairs, climate change and environment committee. He was heavily involved in the development of the recent Land Reform Bill and in the long consultation leading up to its passage through parliament in 2016. He will be remembered him for his determination to hear the tenants’ side of the story and his encouragement and support in driving forward new policies to strengthen the rights of tenant farmers.

Rob Gibson maintains that if land reform is to succeed, you must first remember what has created the problem, then look at the possibilities for change, and finally reclaim the land for the people who live on it. Reclaiming Our Land provides a fascinating insight into the development of land reform, particularly over the last few decades.

Rob leads us through the development of security of tenure and community empowerment up to the present day. His timeline recalls land history from the early Middle Ages, through centuries of feudal tenure to the turbulent 19th century with the first land reform acts in the 1880s and further radical changes over the next century further protecting crofting and agricultural tenants’ rights.

Whether you are interested in politics, history, land reform or agricultural law, Reclaiming Our Land ticks all the boxes as an intriguing account of the evolution of land and tenancy reform. Tenant farmers will find it particularly interesting in providing a background and explanation of the complex and confusing legislation which now envelopes agricultural and crofting law.

For those of us who have been lobbying over the years to strengthen tenants’ rights, Rob’s book also awakes some vivid memories: the dramatic lobbying that took place in the parliament in 2003; the constant wrangling with landowner organisations in the Tenant Farming Forum; the fallout from the Salvesen Riddell Limited Partnerships debacle, which led to Andrew Riddell’s death in 2012 and a decade of continuing court battles; and endless appearances in front of review groups and committees. As with the wider land debate, tenancy reform is an ongoing process and will continue for many years to come as the land reform programme moves forward.

The book is available, priced £11.99 ( plus £2 postage) from Highland Heritage Educational Trust, Tir nan Oran, 8 Culcairn Road, Evanton, IV16 9YT. To order a copy or for further information, email: robgibson273@btinternet.com


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