Our Sovereignty - More Than A Talking Point?

We keep saying the people are sovereign… but land is power, and Scotland’s still one of the most land-unequal countries in Europe.

🏡 Just a few facts:

Fewer than 500 people own half of all private land in Scotland.
We have a housing shortage, but acres of empty, underused estates.

Around 11% of all land is owned by just 18 estates.
There are over 42,000 long-term empty homes and 11,000 hectares of derelict urban land, much of it in places crying out for regeneration.
Many landowners receive millions in public subsidies, even when their estates contribute little to local economies or lie unused.
In cities like Glasgow and Dundee, large pockets of land are classified as “vacant or derelict” for more than 20 years, while councils struggle to find space for social housing.

Meanwhile… communities that have used the Scottish Land Fund (or community buyouts) have built homes, created jobs, restored ecosystems, and proven that local people know best.

It’s already happening:

Eigg, Gigha, Knoydart, South Uist, Langholm - all thriving because the people took charge.

The Scottish Land Fund exists to help communities do the same - and there’s millions available for buyouts, housing, and regeneration.

So it begs the question…

👉 If sovereignty really lies with the people - what are we waiting for?

👉 Should land reform be an extra step to support the independence movement - real, physical sovereignty over the land we live on?

👉 What would your community do if it could own even a fraction of the land around it?

Drop your thoughts, and if you know of land reform projects, share links, videos, or success stories in the comments.

Let’s make this thread about taking back what’s ours, responsibly, locally, and for everyone’s future.

(Photo of the Isle of Eigg)

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