Dukes, aristocrats and tycoons: Who owns Scotland? - BBC News

Scotland is said to have some of the most concentrated land ownership in the developed world. It’s estimated that fewer than 500 people own half the country’s privately-owned rural land.

But how does land ownership affect our lives and is it important who the land belongs to?
Video by: Morgan Spence

Narration: Jennie Cook

Camera: Nathan Kidd

This feature was inspired by questions sent in by readers of the BBC website.

[gordonpage]

When I roam around the lochs, hills and glens, and along the coast of Scotland - it feels like I own Scotland!

[Persempadanansemula]

Poor scot's ancestors for fighting to death from a physical invasion of the land but the new generation easily sold it off for the sake of money..

[thatssofetch]

I’ve decided that I own Scotland now, you all need to leave by Tuesday

[fidget]

Interesting. I wonder what the percentage of London is owned by foreigners...?

[majorskies]

I can see why Scottish people would feel nervous at the least at the amount of outsiders "owning" Scottish land at least those outside GB and N Ire.

At least the Danish guy wants to preserve it tho.

[kellymm]

So Scotland doesn't own Scotland. Surprise surprise!

[latinlover]

The truth is that if land had been sold and divided into small plots rather than passed down as it was for centuries, Scotland would not have the picturesque landscape it has today.

[curtiscarpenter]

Land is the only asset that can never be worthless.

[saucygoose]

The wealthiest not only own the land - they also receive the the single largest government subsidies in the whole of the UK. Try an investigation into where the subsidies go...

[tensai]

Just stopping by after I watched Brave heart. According to William Wallace, Scotland belongs to the Scottish!!!

[workwithnature]

Mother Nature does! Just wait a few million years.

[センナ-hc]

Why would you sell your country's land?

You would end up like Hongkong later on, most of the free / undeveloped lands are held by rich people, so common people have to live in cramped cage houses

[PasscodeAdvance]

I own Scotland, I invented their culture and people. I made their language and payed for their independence.
If you want to buy Scotland from me then sell England.

[freedomwatch]

Foreigners shouldn't be allowed to buy property in UK.

[keithdyer]

Scotland, just tax your land, according to it’s rental value.

[mozdickson]

My ancestors, cleared off their lands, forbidden to speak their tongue, exiled downunder. Thank you.

[taylorbad]

Bob Dylan, one of my favorite artists, I believe owns a chunk of Scotland. His heart's in the Highlands.

[RH-ietx]

Humans claiming to own land is like a bunch of fleas claiming ownership of the dog they live on.

[remlatzargonix]

Welcome to the modern of the houses where I live are owned by rich overseas have not been able to afford homes here for the last few decades!

[G-uc]

it's better to have lots of land in one portfolio because dividing up the land can be very uneconomical and not environmentally friendly.. just drive through rural ireland and you'll see why.