SLMS Annual Reports
SLMS Annual Reports
Each year, the Scottish Land Matching Service publishes an annual report setting out our activity, impact, and learning across farming and crofting in Scotland.
Our reports bring together data, insight and reflection — showing not just the number of matches made, but the wider support, facilitation and advisory work that underpins access to land for new and developing entrants.
Latest annual report
Our most recent annual report covers activity from April 2025 to March 2026 and reflects a year of significant growth in enquiries, facilitation, and successful outcomes across both farming and crofting.
Highlights include:
- Record Matches: The SLMS achieved the highest number of farming and crofting matches in a single year, overcoming traditional barriers to entry like prohibitive land prices.
- Crofting Portal Expansion: The service integrated the first full years of operation for the dedicated Crofting portal, providing tailored matches for crofters.
- Improved Seeker-to-Provider Ratio: While demand remains high, the ratio of land-seekers to land-providers improved as awareness grew.
- Strategic Joint Ventures: The period saw growth in flexible agreements like share farming, contract farming, and joint ventures, allowing retiring farmers to gradually step back while transferring skills to the next generation.
What they say:
“SLMS provided complete discretion and access to a wide network of carefully vetted contacts, enabling us to find the right person quickly and confidently.”
— Jack Munro, SAC Stirling
What’s included in the report
The annual report provides an overview of:
- Farming enquiries, matches and facilitation activity
- Crofting enquiries and the development of the Crofting portal
- Regional demand and trends across Scotland
- Agreement types, enterprise types and experience levels
- Promotion, collaboration and partnership working
- Demographic insights gathered through updated registration systems
Why we publish annual reports
Publishing an annual report allows us to share our progress openly, demonstrate accountability for public funding, and reflect honestly on what is working — and where challenges remain.
It also helps partners, funders and stakeholders understand the full scope of the Scottish Land Matching Service and the value of facilitation-led support in a changing land and agricultural landscape
Future Updates
This page will be updated annually as new reports are published.
Get in touch and let’s talk.
Contact us for an informal chat about your requirements.
Phone
0300 323 0161
Address
Scottish Land Matching Service
18 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG
18 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG
