Land
Accessing land to grow local
When communities access, secure, and cultivate land for food growing, they create opportunities to grow, eat, and share healthy food locally. Growing food connects people, strengthens communities, nurtures the environment, and empowers action on the climate and nature crises. It also helps preserve and revive edible horticulture skills—skills at risk of being lost yet increasingly vital for a secure food future.
Across Scotland, in both rural and urban settings, more people are ‘growing local’ for sustenance, well-being, and resilience. As food security, cost of living, and nutrition challenges grow, local food initiatives are becoming an essential part of our communities and food systems.
However, access to suitable land for growing—near where people live—remains a critical challenge. Urgent attention and support are needed for creative solutions, such as those highlighted in the Land Stories Series.
Local Development Planning
Local Development Plans [LDPs] are a key planning tool for every local authority in Scotland, and an urgent opportunity to safeguard land for food growing and nature connection.
Land Stories
Stories from across Scotland demonstrate what is possible when communities and public and private landowners work in partnership. Share your land story here to inspire and support others to get growing.
Spaces to Grow
Look out your window! We can grow food in so many different spaces and settings and communities are coming together to do just that. Be inspired or inspire others, we’d love to hear from you.
Resources
- If you are a community group or landowner and require specialist guidance or support with any aspects of land access contact the help@
- Growing in the Community-Scotland Land Guide -technical land guidance detail including template leases.
- Growing on contaminated land
- Our Growing Community Spaces and places where food could be grown in our villages, towns and cities
- Local Authority Food Growing Strategies
