Business · 7 February 2026
Wealthy landowners conceal £300m in Scottish sales using legal loophole
Land reform analyst Andy Wightman reveals wealthy landowners utilized a legal loophole to conceal over £300 million in Scottish estate transactions from public registers. Arizona-based Discovery Land Company hid a £21.4 million purchase of Glenlyon, while Oxygen Conservation obscured £42.75 million for two estates. Surprisingly, charity John Muir Trust also employed the mechanism for a £1.73 million acquisition. Campaigners now urge ministers to close this transparency gap as undisclosed sales soar.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs