Forestry and Land Scotland's (FLS) considers existing properties for disposal and new opportunities for acquisitions as part of our overall management of the National Forests and Land (NFL), in line with the asset management approach outlined in our Acquisition Strategy. 

Disposals are identified if land or buildings are deemed surplus or identified as part of our asset management disposal programme. Once a disposal is identified we notify Scottish Government Property Division to advertise internally to Scottish Public Sector Bodies, a process known as the Trawl. After a month, and no interest has been noted, we then notify communities, housing bodies and non-Governmental organisations. This gives these bodies an opportunity to acquire a property prior to it being placed on the open market in line with FLS policy. 

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 gives communities the right to request to purchase, lease or for rights over public land. The Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS) sets out how we delivery the requirements of the Act and how communities can make an Asset Transfer Request for any land or property on Scotland's national forests and land. For further information and guidance on making a request please refer to our Community Asset Transfer Scheme pages and the Scottish Government's Asset Transfer pages. 

Communities also have certain legal rights to apply to buy any land for sale under the community right to buy provisions. 

Should no interest be noted from these bodies, the property is placed on the open market through our selling agent or via auction. See our Current Availability and Community Notifications page to view current availability. 

Occasionally FLS will enter into a contract of excambion, where land is exchanged to improve each landholding or to assist FLS in improving public benefits from the NFL. Each parcel of land will be subject to valuation at Market Value. 

Sales may also be by limited tender or similar where the location and facilities of a property, such as restricted access dictates. 

Sale by private treaty will be exceptional. There is a presumption against directly negotiated sales unless it is materially beneficial to the management of the NFL or to help meet wider Scottish Government aims. For further information go to Direct Property Sales. 

The NFL is split into five regions with each having a team of Area Land Agents (ALA). Please contact your local ALA in the first instance. Contact details can be found at Local Contacts.