The Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is set to invest £4.5m over two years across its four rural estates with work to include new buildings and infrastructure, it was announced earlier this week.

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has welcomed the announcement and stated that the CES is in the process of undertaking a record of condition on its estates following recommendations made by the tenant’s representative working group.

STFA director Angus McCall described the announcement as “heartening to see” but raised his concerns over CES continuing to sell vacant tenanted farms in order to raise capital.

“It makes no sense for a publicly owned body such as Crown Estate Scotland to sell a 280ac tenanted farm while other public agencies are scratching around to find scraps of land which could be used to help young people to make a start in farming,” said Angus.