Scottish Land & Estates has warned that calls for more radical changes to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill could have a devastating impact on rural businesses and communities.

The organisation, which represents landowners and rural businesses across Scotland, expressed concern over calls from campaigners for more stringent measures, including increased powers for compulsory land purchase.

"These proposals pose a significant threat to rural businesses and communities," said Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates. "Private investment in rural areas is absolutely vital for environmental progress and economic development."

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Laing emphasised that landowners are already playing a crucial role in delivering government objectives such as woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat conservation.

"We've had more than 20 years of land reform legislation in Scotland, much of which has been embraced by estate owners," she said. "These are the diverse rural businesses which are at the forefront of delivering the government’s objectives."

However, Laing expressed concern over the potential impact of proposed measures like Land Management Plans, which she argued could create an excessive regulatory burden on landowners. She also warned that the threat of compulsory land purchase could deter investment in rural areas.

"Claims made today that compulsory land sales should be used as the ultimate punitive measure against landowners is an unworkable proposition," Laing said. "It flies in the face of all the work that has been undertaken to achieve landscape-scale conservation of moorland, peatland, woodland and river systems. This has the potential to stifle change, innovation and investment in rural Scotland."

Laing stressed the importance of finding a balance that supports both community interests and the needs of rural businesses.