Press release: Siloed land information is STILL holding back Scotland

A report published by the David Hume Institute in 2023, written by land reform expert Andy Wightman, said the lack of a fully functioning land and building information system is holding Scotland back - and it still is.

Although Scotland has a considerable amount of information on land and buildings, a Scottish Government commitment in 2015 to deliver a comprehensive Scotland Land Information Service (SCOTLIS) has still not been met.

Information about land and buildings is used everyday by businesses, policy-makers, academics and ordinary people. This information includes who owns land, how much land is worth, building types and energy efficiency ratings, vegetation cover and flood risks areas. 

All of this information exists in some form, however much of it is not easily available and virtually none of it is made available in an integrated form. 

A fully functioning land and building Information system in Scotland would enable users to quickly and easily access information about any piece of land or property in Scotland through a single online source. This will allow for simplified property transfers, better policy and decision making, improved accountability and transparency, and more innovative use of data for wider social and economic benefit. 

There are challenges to overcome but failing to rise to the challenges means Scotland is not reaping the benefits other countries are seeing from similar work. 

Andy Wightman, author of the report said: “Two years ago I said: a new, fully functioning version of Scotland’s land information system could be in place by 2025 if there was the political will to make it happen. In the past, lack of political leadership failed to establish the governance framework necessary to deliver the ambition for Scotland so the land and building information system remains a vital missing link. Well it is now 2025 and a land information system is still a vital missing link”

Susan Murray, Director of the David Hume Institute said: 

“This report shone a light on the potential of a land and building information system for Scotland. This is essential infrastructure to support the modern economy and energy transition. The ground work has already been done, it just needs everyone to roll up their sleeves and make it happen for everyone’s benefit.”

Euan Leitch, Director of Scotland's Regeneration Forum said:

“Obtaining information about buildings can be extremely time consuming.  By bringing together information from different sources, it will be quicker for everyone to access land and building information.  We need a concerted effort to ensure Scotland does not get left behind internationally as other countries are already benefiting from advances in data processing and mapping technologies. As the impacts of climate change intensify, there is even greater need for more timely, more comprehensive and more accessible information about land and buildings in Scotland.”