A ten-year lease will be offered for farm buildings and fields at Beecraigs Country Park near Linlithgow, formerly home to an animal attraction that closed in 2023. The site comprises 159 acres of grazing land and a steading of five sheds.
West Lothian Council aims to attract a tenant new to farming and is working with Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE), a national group supported by the Scottish Government. The council describes the opportunity as significant in a sector where access to land is limited.
Councillor welcomes income generation
Councillor Pauline Orr welcomed the proposal as an income generator for the council. She initially expressed concerns about the size of the farm and the viability of a 10-year lease for newcomers, but later said she had been reassured after learning that a council officer with a farming background would be involved.
Orr noted that farming is physically demanding, administratively tough, and carries financial risks from unpredictable weather and equipment costs. However, she recognised the value of adding to agricultural land in the county.
Lease structure and support
A report to the council's Executive recommended offering the property under a 10-year Modern Limited Duration Tenancy, which provides flexibility for both landlord and tenant. The report, by Group Property Surveyor Jack Orr, stated that opportunities for new entrants are rare due to limited land availability, the nature of agricultural tenure in Scotland, and competition from established businesses.
The report added that FONE fully supports using the property for this purpose and that the lease allows the council to manage its landholding proactively while retaining flexibility for the asset.
