Parliament approves Scottish Crown Estate Bill | Crown Estate Scotland

Parliament approves Scottish Crown Estate Bill

The Scottish Parliament today passed the Scottish Crown Estate Bill.

The Bill will now be submitted for Royal Assent. Once this has been secured, it will become the key legislation that sets out the rules and guidelines by which a range of land and property – comprising the Scottish Crown Estate – is managed.

This follows devolution of the Estate - agricultural and forestry land, most of the seabed, just under half of the foreshore and some commercial property - from The Crown Estate to Scottish Ministers in 2017. They in turn tasked us at Crown Estate Scotland (Interim Management) with management of the assets.

Through working with others, we innovate with land and property to create prosperity for Scotland and its communities. This includes ensuring families, businesses and communities can live, work and thrive on the assets. The business pays all revenue profit to the Scottish Government.

The Bill, when enacted, will make various changes including:

Providing for other bodies to take on management of assets to enable local control
Requiring Scottish Ministers to approve sales of any seabed, recognising the strategic national importance of this asset
Removing ’Interim Management’ from our title, giving us permanence and helping us plan for long-term success

Commenting on the passing of the Bill, Simon Hodge, Crown Estate Scotland Chief Executive said: “We’re really pleased that this new legislation has been approved by The Scottish Parliament. It helps give our tenants clarity and certainty about how the land and property they depend on may be managed in the future.

“Since starting operation in April 2017, we’ve worked hard to deliver wider economic, social and environmental value for Scotland, as well as returning profits to the Scottish Government. This includes ambitious proposals for new offshore wind leasing, a scheme to devolve management of land and property to local bodies, a £4.5m rural investment plan and much more.

“This new legislation will enable us to focus even more on managing the assets in ways that benefits Scotland’s economy, people and environment.”

ENDS

Latest news

Ronan O'Hara is pictured with CES colleagues and council leaders at Stornoway Council Offices

12 February 2025

Ronan O'Hara looks to sustainable future during visit to Western Isles

A Tidal Turbine is lowered into the ocean

04 November 2024

Tidal power has potential to address energy challenges faced by Scottish coastal communities

Wind turbines in Scottish waters

17 October 2024

Crown Estate Scotland welcome GB Energy agreement between Scottish and UK Governments

The Isle of Canna

22 August 2024

Communities across Scotland urged to apply for £425,000 funding

05 July 2024

Extension of our current corporate plan period

Silhouette of an Oil Rig in the North Sea

05 June 2024

New research will enhance strategic confidence in Scotland’s Carbon Storage potential

Crown estate scotland confirms timings for scotwind leasing

14 May 2024

Scottish data integrated onto UK’s world-leading offshore data resource to help drive to net-zero

1.5MW AR1500 tidal turbine during deployment at MeyGen, 2017 Credit: SAE Renewables

09 May 2024

Crown Estate Scotland survey finds significant appetite to accelerate deployment of tidal and wave energy

A shot taken partially submerged in the ocean, showing both the landscape and sky above the waterline and a range of seaweed below it

24 April 2024

Nine environmental community projects across Scotland share in £126,000 Crown Estate Scotland funding

A group of volunteers, holding litter picking equipment, are pictured on a beach in Orkney

22 April 2024

New effort to tackle marine litter around Scottish islands launches with Crown Estate Scotland support

People and the landscape in Iona, where the Iona Energy community owned energy company plans to install a ground source heat network to provide islanders with clean, green, sustainable energy.

12 April 2024

Big win for rural housing as eight community projects share in £300,000 funding

Stuart Graham, our Farming Tenant at Uppercleuch Farm, herds a flock of sheep from his quadbike

30 November 2023

Tenant feedback summaries

wind farm

29 November 2023

Offshore Wind and CCS Colocation Forum commissions vital viability research

A line of offshore wind turbines can be seen stretched across the horizon at sea. Two support vessels can be seen sailing close to them.

28 November 2023

INTOG: Exclusivity Agreements signed for seven TOG offshore wind projects to help decarbonise the North Sea and support innovation

undersea rick

28 September 2023

Crown Estate Scotland joins Marine Data Exchange

Royal-visit-to-Scalan-image

15 September 2023

Royal Opening for Scalan Mills

Pressure Testing Pipes

05 September 2023

Offshore wind projects could help secure green hydrogen potential

Ullapool Harbour

21 August 2023

Communities across Scotland urged to apply for £425,000 funding

1.5MW AR1500 tidal turbine during deployment at MeyGen, 2017 Credit: SAE Renewables

09 August 2023

Crown Estate Scotland launches market engagement survey for tidal and wave energy sectors

Turbines in North Sea

13 July 2023

ScotWind Leasing Supply Chain Development

New chair of crown estate

26 June 2023

New chair of Crown Estate Scotland appointed

Community Land Accelerator lead appointed

19 June 2023

Community Land Accelerator lead appointed

Robin Rigg windfamr

14 June 2023

New report examines long-term prospect for extending life of offshore wind farms

Offshore wind turbines

19 May 2023

INTOG: Exclusivity Agreements signed for five offshore wind projects to support innovation

Leanchoil

09 May 2023

Seven community projects share in £250k funding from Crown Estate Scotland

Charles & Camilla portrait

06 May 2023

The Coronation

Stromness, Orkney

11 April 2023

Landmark arrangement empowers Orkney communities to manage seabed

Portgordon

06 April 2023

Works at Portgordon Harbour

A line of offshore wind turbines can be seen stretched across the horizon at sea. Two support vessels can be seen sailing close to them.

24 March 2023

INTOG: 13 projects selected to support green innovation and help decarbonise North Sea

First joint market engagement on carbon capture utilisation and storage is launched

07 March 2023

First joint market engagement on carbon capture utilisation and storage is launched

Crown Estate Scotland supports Scottish Education Roadshow

14 February 2023

Crown Estate Scotland supports Scottish Education Roadshow

intog-offshore-wind-leasing-attracts-interest

13 December 2022

INTOG offshore wind leasing attracts interest

Offshore wind

25 November 2022

Crown Estate Scotland delivers £60m for public spending and secures Scotland’s global lead in offshore wind

Turbine blades at Port of Nigg

21 November 2022

New supply chain commitments from developers published

Three ScotWind Clearing project agreements confirmed

02 November 2022

Three ScotWind clearing project agreements confirmed

Marina

28 October 2022

Review of private leisure mooring fees

Robin Rigg visit

27 September 2022

Visiting Robin Rigg Windfarm

Scottish boat moorings generate £23m annually and support 445 jobs

20 September 2022

Scottish boat moorings generate £23m annually and support 445 jobs

Statement: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

08 September 2022

Statement: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

A landmark on Glenlivet Estate

01 September 2022

Community events announced for Glenlivet Estate 2050 project

The NE1 area east of Shetland will host three Offshore Wind projects

22 August 2022

Three Shetland ScotWind projects announced

A scuba diver swimming in the ocean

18 August 2022

Communities across Scotland urged to apply for £350,000 funding

Wind farm in Aberdeen Bay

10 August 2022

New offshore wind leasing opens: INTOG aims to to encourage innovation and decarbonise North Sea

Tractor on Rural estate

28 July 2022

Tenant farmers indicate strong desire to buy Crown Estate Scotland farms

Stuart Archibald, Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Jamie Macfarlane from Crown Estate Scotland and Sian Brewis from Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre

21 July 2022

ZeroFour innovation hub partnership will help preserve wartime history of unique Scottish airfield

Forest at Glenlivet

04 July 2022

Community conversation for Glenlivet Estate announced

Tarbert harbour

24 June 2022

Crown Estate Scotland unveils support for coastal jobs, clean energy, and nature projects

INTOG

17 June 2022

Summary of feedback on proposed INTOG leasing published

Crown Estate Scotland announces new Chief Executive

16 June 2022

Crown Estate Scotland announces new Chief Executive

The launch of SMEEF

13 May 2022

Fund to enhance Scotland’s coasts and seas is launched

Port Bannatyne, Isle of Bute

02 May 2022

Ten environmental community projects across Scotland share in £120,000 funding

Offshore wind farm

28 April 2022

New study illustrates scale of potential for the development of UK offshore wind

Wind farm in the north sea

27 April 2022

ScotWind developers set out multi-billion-pound supply chain commitments

Wind turbine components at Port of Nigg

26 April 2022

ScotWind Clearing process opens

Spatial hub site

19 April 2022

Crown Estate Scotland Spatial Hub brings our data to the world

Floating wind turbines

13 April 2022

17 ScotWind project agreements confirmed

Corpach marina

12 April 2022

Corpach Marina secures funding to complete regeneration project

Community event at ZeroFour

07 April 2022

Crown Estate Scotland and Dundee and Angus College host community event at Montrose Academy

Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) offshore wind leasing

05 April 2022

New report: electrification of North Sea oil and gas would boost innovation and help meet decarbonisation targets

Edinbane, Isle of Skye

31 March 2022

Nine Highlands & Islands community projects share in £250k funding

10 March 2022

Statement regarding ScotWind Leasing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Wind turbines

04 March 2022

ScotWind Clearing Process Procedural Update

04 March 2022

Statement on ScotWind leasing process and Russia

Our Values

03 March 2022

Board members sought to drive Crown Estate Scotland strategy and investments

INR Fund

02 March 2022

New £3m investment fund will help green business growth across Scotland

Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) offshore wind leasing

22 February 2022

New leasing opportunity unveiled to boost innovation and help decarbonise North Sea

Simon Hodge

16 February 2022

Crown Estate Scotland chief executive to retire

Salmon sea nets at Loch Fyne

25 January 2022

Root and branch review of aquaculture leasing complete

Andrew Jardine, tenant at New Farm on the Applegirth Estate, watches his cattle grazing

19 January 2022

New opportunities for land ownership in farming

Wind turbine towers at Port of Nigg

17 January 2022

ScotWind offshore wind leasing delivers major boost to Scotland’s net zero aspirations

Annual Report and Accounts to 31 March 2021

08 December 2021

Estate delivers £44m for public spending and sets Scotland up for the biggest ever net zero investment

he signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Crown Estate Scotland and Angus Council. Pictured, left to right: Angus Council leader, Councillor David Fairweather ; Angus Council Chief Executive, Margo Williamson; Crown Estate Scotland Chief Executive, Simon Hodge; Crown Estate Scotland Chair, Amanda Bryan

03 November 2021

Crown Estate Scotland signs new agreement with Angus Council to develop ZeroFour Hub

Substation off Scotland's coast

18 October 2021

Crown Estate Scotland announces partnership to improve coordination of Offshore Wind infrastructure

Turbines off the coast near Aberdeen

30 September 2021

Crown Estate Scotland set to double energy team to help deliver net zero

Report: Scotland’s shellfish sector can aim for more global growth

14 September 2021

Report: Scotland’s shellfish sector can aim for more global growth

A banner spotlights Community Partnership at the Nature of Scotland Awards

06 September 2021

New £3m fund for Scottish communities’ green recovery

Oster Milambo

02 September 2021

Oster Milambo appointed Director of Property at Crown Estate Scotland

Turbines seen from Balmedie, Aberdeenshire

01 September 2021

New leasing process to decarbonise oil & gas and boost innovation

Whitehill Estate map

25 August 2021

Crown Estate Scotland launches community conversation on Whitehill estate

View over Portree Harbour - Nicola Pulham, via Shutterstock

09 August 2021

£850k fund for communities’ green recovery opens for applications

Floating wind turbines

22 July 2021

ScotWind secures major interest in Scotland’s offshore wind potential

Closing date for applications to ScotWind

16 July 2021

Closing date for applications to ScotWind

Yacht near Isle of Eigg

21 June 2021

New £3m investment fund for boat-based tourism in Scotland

Portnahaven, Islay

11 June 2021

Crown Estate Scotland awards £150k to community projects across Scotland

Crown Estate Scotland invests in community hub as Portgordon deal develops

02 June 2021

Crown Estate Scotland invests in community hub as Portgordon deal develops

John Robertson: 6 January 1966 to 30 May 2021

01 June 2021

John Robertson: 6 January 1966 to 30 May 2021

18 May 2021

New suite of documents offer fresh insight into use of Scottish Crown Estate

Wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeenshire

28 April 2021

Final technical update for scotwind leasing applicants

Crown Estate Scotland completes ScotWind Leasing review

24 March 2021

Crown Estate Scotland completes ScotWind Leasing review

Landmark agreement will involve Orkney communities in managing seabed

23 March 2021

Landmark agreement will involve Orkney communities in managing seabed

£100k for local environmental projects around scotland

22 March 2021

£100k for local environmental projects around scotland

New vision for future of Portgordon Harbour

18 March 2021

New vision for future of Portgordon Harbour

Our plan to tackle emissions and adapt to climate change

19 February 2021

Our plan to tackle emissions and adapt to climate change

Scotwind leasing application timings extended

11 February 2021

Scotwind leasing application timings extended

Whisky from beneath the waves

03 February 2021

Whisky from beneath the waves

application-window-opens-for-scotwind-leasing

15 January 2021

Application window opens for scotwind leasing

Changes to our managing agent partnerships

22 December 2020

Changes to our managing agent partnerships

Exciting opportunity secured for new entrants to scottish tenant farming sector

01 December 2020

Exciting opportunity secured for new entrants to scottish tenant farming sector

Landmark agreement secures local management of salmon fishing rights

12 November 2020

Landmark agreement secures local management of salmon fishing rights

Crown Estate Scotland delivers £12m for Scotland’s communities

11 November 2020

Crown Estate Scotland delivers £12m for Scotland’s communities

Upstream Battle on the Clyde continues to tackle marine litter

10 November 2020

Upstream battle on the clyde continues to tackle marine litter

Crown estate scotland confirms timings for scotwind leasing

04 November 2020

Crown estate scotland confirms timings for scotwind leasing

Crown estate scotland welcomes the publication of sectoral marine plan

28 October 2020

Crown estate scotland welcomes the publication of sectoral marine plan

£500k to support sustainable offshore wind development in Scotland

03 September 2020

£500k to support sustainable offshore wind development in Scotland

New research on net zero opportunities for scotland’s ports

02 September 2020

New research on net zero opportunities for scotland’s ports

Scotwind

19 August 2020

ScotWind Leasing: registration closed, clarifications now published

Montrose to benefit from major new investment by Crown Estate Scotland

29 June 2020

Montrose to benefit from major new investment by Crown Estate Scotland

Green light for multi-billion pound investment in Scotland’s net zero economy

10 June 2020

Green light for multi-billion pound investment in Scotland’s net zero economy

New study highlights extra community benefits of local energy systems

21 May 2020

New study highlights extra community benefits of local energy systems

ScotWind Leasing: April update

27 April 2020

ScotWind Leasing: April update

Crown Estate Scotland statement on ScotWind Leasing and COVID-19

23 March 2020

Crown Estate Scotland statement on ScotWind Leasing and COVID-19

ScotWind Leasing: updated statement on supply chain measures

27 January 2020

ScotWind Leasing: updated statement on supply chain measures

ScotWind Leasing Update

29 November 2019

ScotWind Leasing Update

Next steps for new Scottish offshore wind leasing

25 September 2019

Next steps for new Scottish offshore wind leasing

Timescales and next steps for new offshore wind leasing for Scotland

29 November 2018

Timescales and next steps for new offshore wind leasing for Scotland

Crown Estate Scotland issues first agreement for critical CO2 storage infrastructure

27 November 2018

Crown Estate Scotland issues first agreement for critical CO2 storage infrastructure

Tenant survey launched

19 November 2018

Tenant survey launched