How the SNP ended up behind its own members on land reform Campaigners say the SNP’s latest manifesto ducks the bold action backed by the public, its own advisory body and even its own members when it…

In 2012, half of Scotland's private rural land was owned by 440 people; today 408 landowners own half the land. Max Wiszniewski on how land reform stalled in Scotland.

Flier for SEDA event at Briggait, Glasgow to celebrate the life and legacy of SEDA co-founder, architect, activist and educator Jim Johnson who died on January 19 aged 91. He was one of the first architects to realise and act upon the climate crisis. He helped instigate the community-based housing movement, co-founding ASSIST Architects; was involved in conservation and urban regeneration of Edinburgh Old Town and co-founded the Scottish Ecological Design Association.

Join us for a celebration of the life and legacy of SEDA co-founder, architect, activist and educator Jim Johnson on Saturday, 16 May from 1pm.

The event is being held in Briggait, an a-listed complex of studios in the Merchant City which owes its survival and flowering to Jim and his colleagues.

Flier for SEDA event at Briggait, Glasgow to celebrate the life and legacy of SEDA co-founder, architect, activist and educator Jim Johnson who died on January 19 aged 91. He was one of the first architects to realise and act upon the climate crisis. He helped instigate the community-based housing movement, co-founding ASSIST Architects; was involved in conservation and urban regeneration of Edinburgh Old Town and co-founded the Scottish Ecological Design Association.

Join us for a celebration of the life and legacy of SEDA co-founder, architect, activist and educator Jim Johnson on Saturday, 16 May from 1pm.

The event is being held in Briggait, an a-listed complex of studios in the Merchant City which owes its survival and flowering to Jim and his colleagues.

Why the Isle of Eigg hatched a plan to grow its own trees Islanders have planted thousands of the trees on Hebridean isle - and sent thousands more to other places.

Why the Isle of Eigg hatched a plan to grow its own trees. The island’s nursery — currently running a “putting down roots” crowdfunder — is growing tens of thousands of native trees to create a sustainable supply of wood for fuel and to support natural habitats

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/eiggtreenu...

Children who play in mud are healthier, as exposure to microorganisms helps train immune cells to fight infections and reduce inflammation.

Learn more about the merits of outdoor education at BETTER OUTDOORS in Augustine United Church, Edinburgh, and online, on 29 April

seda.scot/seda-land-gr...

Have we been duped by the primary energy fallacy? Whenever I post something on renewable energy on social media it never takes long for negative comments to arrive in my feed. One type of…

The primary energy fallacy is the false assumption that energy sources must be compared on the strength of their raw, primary energy input rather than their energy output. @janrosenow.bsky.social

Pioneers of outdoor education: Davina Bowers, head of the forest nursery & junior schools at Merchiston in Edinburgh, and Louise Licznerski founder of Little Bugs, which operates outdoor nurseries for nursery and primary children in West Lothian and Fife, will be outlining the many benefits of outdoor learning and how this can be extended to include primary-school pupils at this SEDA Land event on 29 April. Both Davina and Louise have been running forest school nurseries for several years and will describe their different approaches to expanding outdoor learning to primary school education, as well as how learning out-of-doors can galvanise the imagination of each individual child. They will also explain how risky play helps build resilience and confidence among younger children and fosters an understanding of sustainability and stewardship of the environment. Better Outdoors? aims to persuade local authorities and The Scottish Government to systematically roll out outdoor learning across the Scottish education system. Louise is founding director of the Scottish Outdoor Learning Association (Sola). Other speakers at the event include Alexia Barrable, PhD senior in education at Queen Margaret University and Carol Murdoch. 📅 Wednesday 29th April 2026: in person 5-8pm, online 5:30-7:30pm 📌 Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh 🤑 Free to attend

The Forest at Merchiston headteacher Davina Bowers and Little Bugs founder Louise Licznerski will explain the merits of outdoor learning and how it can be rolled out more widely

📅 29 April: in person 5-8pm, online 5:30-7:30pm
📌 Augustine Utd Church, Edinburgh

Full details seda.scot/seda-land-gr...

Seda Land event BETTER OUTDOORS In person 5-8pm, online 5:30-7:30pm - Free admission Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Light refreshments available Forest schools and outdoor nurseries are becoming more prevalent in Scotland and their benefits are well-known, so why are they not being systematically rolled out or integrated into the Scottish education system? Join us for a conversation covering the benefits of outdoor learning, both at primary and secondary level, and how local authorities and the Scottish government can be persuaded to recognise the part it could play in a more enlightened curriculum. Outdoor learning is not limited to rural schools. We will explain how, with a little imagination, it can be done in a tarmacked playground. This will be an informal discussion with leading UK educationalists and practitioners – including nursery school managers and rangers. Speakers: Dr Alexia Barrable, senior lecturer in education, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Davina Bowers, head, the Forest Nursery and Junior School at Merchiston Castle School Louise Licznerski, founder, Little Bugs Nursery, Fife Carol Murdoch, founder, Love Outdoor Learning Jo Cooke, ranger, Midlothian Council Rob Heasman, Beeslack High School, Midlothian Gail Halvorsen, Halvorsen Architects & chair SEDA Land (chair)

The idea that outdoor learning can only occur in rural areas is a myth, and teachers need to overcome their fear of it. These are among points that Love Outdoor Learning founder Carol Murdoch will be making at our Better Outdoors event.

5pm, Wed 29 April

Full details: seda.scot/seda-land-gr...

World heritage body challenged over support for West End 'super hostel' Edinburgh World Heritage is being urged to reconsider its support for a controversial proposal to turn four Georgian townhouses in a prestigious West End crescent into part of a 544-bed “super hostel”...

Edinburgh World Heritage coming under fire over its support for plans to convert four A-listed late Georgian townhouses on Atholl Crescent into a 544-bed “capsule” hostel.

Until January 2022, the building housed the head office of law firm Brodies LLP.

Cowal grown timber used for Forestry and Land Scotland extension | Project Scotland SITKA spruce grown for commercial timber production on the Cowal peninsula has come full circle, returning as the material for Forestry and Land Scotland’s ...

“The Glenbranter extension highlights how Scotland’s timber industry — from growing forests, to milling, to designing building materials — can safeguard rural jobs for local people and enhance sustainability,” says Forestry and Land Scotland's operations manager Mark Ormsby.

“I'm not convinced the latest land reform bill (which became an act in December 2025) is going to shift the dial.”

Prof Douglas MacMillan, trustee of @johnmuirtrust.bsky.social on where Scottish land reform efforts fall short in @bellacaledonia.bsky.social

bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/09/09/l...

Grassroots hope in face of watered-down Scottish Land Reform Act Tara Wight, Scotland Policy and Campaigns Coordinator for the Land Worker’s Alliance, shares her perspective on the Scottish Land Reform Act.

“We can walk on the land, but we cannot shape what happens to it.”

@landworkersuk.bsky.social’s campaigns coordinator Tara Wright on the inadequacies of Scottish land reform.

Seda Land event BETTER OUTDOORS - speaker Dr Alexia Barrable is senior lecturer in education, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh In person 5-8pm, online 5:30-7:30pm - Free admission Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Light refreshments available Forest schools and outdoor nurseries are becoming more prevalent in Scotland and their benefits are well-known, so why are they not being systematically rolled out or integrated into the Scottish education system? Join us for a conversation covering the benefits of outdoor learning, both at primary and secondary level, and how local authorities and the Scottish government can be persuaded to recognise the part it could play in a more enlightened curriculum. Outdoor learning is not limited to rural schools. We will explain how, with a little imagination, it can be done in a tarmacked playground. This will be an informal discussion with leading UK educationalists and practitioners – including nursery school managers and rangers.

Keynote speaker Dr Alexia Barrable, senior lecturer in psychology, sociology and education at @qmuniversity.bsky.social and author of Nature-Based Learning (2022), will explain the psychological and scientific benefits of outdoor learning.

5pm, Wed 29 April

Full details: seda.scot/seda-land-gr...

Women of SEDA Land, clockwise from top left - Bea Nichol, Megan MacInnes, Flora Fraser, Magdalena Blazusiak, Lucy Filby, Savannah Fishel, Sophie Cooke, Professor Dame Lorna Dawson, and Gloria Lo.

On International Women’s Day, SEDA Land thanks all the inspirational women who have helped us in the past year.

Here are a few of them. Clockwise from top left: Bea Nichol, Megan MacInnes, Flora Fraser, Magdalena Blazusiak, Lucy Filby, Savannah Fishel, Sophie Cooke, Lorna Dawson, and Gloria Lo

Villagers win legal battle in bid to buy the Albert “We are delighted with this decision which so comprehensively demolishes the reasons given by the ministers for refusing the application.”

North Queensferry Community Trust wins appeal against the Scottish Government over the latter’s claim that plans for a community-buyout of historic coaching inn the Albert Hotel are unworkable and unaffordable. Dunfermline Sheriff Court ruled that ScotGov’s stance was “not based on reason or logic”.

OECD to reopen investigation into Drax's misleading statements about biomass energy impacts - Forest Litigation Collaborative Review of the initial investigation found UK officials had influenced OECD findings in favour of Drax The OECD will recommence its review of environmental claims made by Drax, and the UK...

OECD to reopen investigation into Drax’s misleading statements about #biomass energy impacts: forestlitigation.org/press/oecd-t... .

The democratic financial revolution that's saving community facilities across Scotland Through community shares and collective ownership, people can raise money and run locally important shops and services themselves

Through community shares and collective ownership, Scots are now in a much better position to raise money and run locally-important shops and services themselves.

@paulinedtas.bsky.social, chief executive of Development Trusts Association Scotland (@dtascotland.bsky.social), in
@scotsman.com

💼 Looking for an exciting volunteering opportunity?

♻️ The Green Drinks team are looking for a new member!

💬 If you're interested, please contact us at info@seda.scot

#volunteer #scotland #seda

This webinar examines design choices shaped by a young family’s priorities, including accessibility, material safety, and long-term adaptability. The session will present findings from 14 months of indoor environmental monitoring and analysis.

🕒️ - 10th March, 6-7:30pm
🔗 - seda.scot/webinar-acce...

Climate coverage is shrinking. We're expanding it. Announcing a new weekly video podcast!

the epidemic of men launching podcasts about nothing has gotten out of control

to combat this I am launching a podcast WITH A WOMAN (veteran climate journalist Tracy Wholf) to talk about stuff that actually matters (the planet being destroyed by the worst people alive)

Find subscribe links here:

Sounds right up our street.

West Highland community moving forward with eco-village plans A community trust has bought land for affordable homes and woodland crofts at Loch Duich.

Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust has acquired part of a commercial forest beside Loch Duich with a view to building an eco-village offering affordable housing, woodland crofts and business units. It hopes the development will attract young families to the area and help keep the local school open.

Poster for SEDA Land event on Wednesday 29 April 2026 Forest schools and outdoor nurseries are becoming more prevalent in Scotland and their benefits are well-known, so why are they not being systematically rolled out or integrated into the Scottish education system? Join us for a conversation covering the benefits of outdoor learning, both at primary and secondary level, and how local authorities and the Scottish government can be persuaded to recognise the part it could play in a more enlightened curriculum. Outdoor learning is not limited to rural schools. We will explain how, with a little imagination, it can be done in a tarmacked playground. This will be an informal discussion with leading UK educationalists and practitioners – including nursery school managers and rangers. Panel: Alexia Barrable, senior lecturer in education, Queen Margaret University Carol Murdoch, founder, Love Outdoor Learning Davina Bowers, head, the Forest Nursery and Junior School at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh Louise Licznerski, founder, Little Bugs Nursery, Fife Jo Cooke, ranger, Midlothian Council Rob Heasman, Beeslack High School, Midlothian Chair: Gail Halvorsen, chair SEDA Land

Better Outdoors? An event on outdoor learning both at primary and secondary level, and how ScotGov and local authorities might be persuaded to get behind it. An informal discussion with some of Scotland’s top practitioners.

📌 Augustine United Church
📆 29 April, in-person and online
🤑 Free to attend

'Best time in decades' for Scottish farmers to convert to organic Recent figures show the organic food and drink market in Scotland has grown by 20.6 per cent in five years.

Now is the best time in decades for Scottish farmers to convert to nature-friendly practices, according to @soilassocscot.bsky.social co-director David McKay.

by @scotsman.com rural affairs correspondent @katharinehay.bsky.social

For context mass built homes in Scotland are timber. They likely have a brick/render skin but they are timber buildings. Also worthwhile remembering Scotland has had tighter fire regs than England for most of the 21st century. The three little pigs is literally propaganda from brick manufacturers.

Glass fibre insulation is much higher embodied carbon than straw. The sheep wool mentioned above is 25% plastic content(better than burning! Straw locks up carbon in its use and used properly fire risk is no greater than many other types of insulation. Hemp and wood fibre are also great options.

There's the real cost, but there's also someone down the line who pays.

Workshops, talks, celebration of member and student work, walks, storytelling, art and song—bringing people together in connection with land, place, and one another. More details coming soon!

Burning fuel to deliver fuel that will be burned.

If we switched to #renewableenergy, the number of ships crossing the ocean would fall by 40% because they're just carrying coal & oil & gas!! buff.ly/dpTrSpO

We have the solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate

#ClimateAction #climate #energy #GreenNewDeal