Articles

Scottish Government Publishes Rural Support Plan (2026-2031)

April 1, 2026

The Scottish Government has now published their framework for agricultural support for the next five years (2026-2031), known as the Rural Support Plan, offering a ‘period of certainty, investment and preparation’ to...

Key Housing Legislation Updates for Scottish Landlords

March 17, 2026

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 introduces several important legislative changes that will affect Scotland’s private rented sector. Although the Act was approved in November last year, most of its provisions will be...

New generation takes the helm at FBR Seed

March 3, 2026

FBR Seed is delighted to announce a new senior team, with the promotion of Stewart Seed to Managing Director as founder David Seed transitions to the role of Chair. Stewart will assume...

Latest Requirements for Agricultural Support in Scotland

January 16, 2026

This week, claimants will receive a letter from the Scottish Government giving another brief overview of the changes coming this spring including how to be compliant and eligible for agricultural support, the...

Preparing for Making Tax Digital 2026

November 5, 2025

From next year, sole traders and landlords earning more than £50,000 will be required under Making Tax Digital (MTD) to report income and expenses quarterly using specialist bookkeeping software, as tax returns...

Future Farm Investment Scheme

June 24, 2025

Please note, this guidance is being updated twice weekly and for the most up to date information please click here. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands made several announcements at...

Greening rules are changing for 2026

June 5, 2025

This week, the Scottish Government has announced big changes to Ecological Focus Area (EFA). These changes impact two groups of farmers. First, those already doing EFAs who may not realise that the...

Subdivision and refurbishment of existing rural cottage

March 5, 2025

FBRSeed Architecture recently assisted in the subdivision and refurbishment of a rural East Lothian cottage, creating two sensitively designed country dwellings. Situated in a picturesque countryside setting, the property and the neighbouring...

BPS applications and PSF funding for 2025

February 16, 2025

The Scottish Government has recently confirmed that the Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) funding will be continued for 2025, enabling claimants to take advantage of funds towards the new Whole Farm Plan...

Reviving an early 19th Century Steading: A New Lease of Life

October 3, 2024

The owners of a derelict early 19th-century steading and mill approached FBRSeed Architects after contemplating various proposals for a new building. After careful consideration, they opted to preserve what remained of the...

Planning Success: Castleview Holiday Lodges

September 24, 2024

Castleview Holiday Lodges, situated to the southwest of Lauder, offers three luxury self-catering holiday lodges set amongst the gorgeous Scottish Borders scenery. The Davisons of Woodheads Farm identified the opportunity to diversify...

Preparing for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

August 14, 2024

Since the announcement of Making Tax Digital (MTD) in 2015, the government's rollout of the programme has encountered several challenges. While the introduction of MTD for VAT was successful, the subsequent phase—MTD...

AECS Funding Success: Aikengall Farm

July 17, 2024

The Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS), funded by the Scottish Government, is a competitive points-based scheme open to all applicants registered with SGRPID. The scheme provides funding to create and manage diverse habitat...

Restoration of 19th Century Jacobean Revival Cottage

June 26, 2024

FBRSeed Architecture is proud to have recently assisted in the full internal and external restoration of a charming early 19th-century Jacobean revival cottage in Pencaitland. The project involved blending the preservation of...

Conservation and Renovation of Attic Bedrooms at Winton Castle

May 14, 2024

The FBRSeed architecture team is delighted to have recently completed a conservation project at Winton Castle for Francis and Dorothy Ogilvy and The Winton Trust. The project involved converting the attic from...

Scottish Government confirms BPS conditions for 2025

April 10, 2024

The Scottish Government has recently issued further guidance clarifying the conditionality we were expecting for the Basic Payment Scheme 2025. Payments to remain unchanged, and will include new enhanced conditionality to account...

Scottish Basic Payment Scheme Update 2024

March 11, 2024

Update April 2024: The latest information on BPS for 2025 can be found here. Basic Payment Scheme 2024 The Basic Payment Scheme 2024 continues as per previous years, and payments remain unchanged....

Heat in Buildings Bill: Proposed Energy Efficiency Standards for Properties

December 6, 2023

For the last 10 years, there has been much debate about proposed changes to EPC ratings. These previous proposals included the requirement for all properties within the private rented sector (PRS) to...

Proposed New Deal for Tenants

November 24, 2023

As part of the Scottish Government’s comprehensive vision for housing in Scotland up to 2040 outlined in the ‘Housing to 2040’ initiative, efforts are underway to enhance the functionality of the rented...

Changes to the Repairing Standards for Private Rented Sector March 2024

November 24, 2023

All landlords in the Private Rented Sector in Scotland are required to adhere to housing legislation and ensure their property complies with both the Tolerable Standards and the Repairing Standards. From the...

Short-Term Let Legislation: Deadlines & Requirements

March 22, 2023

In February 2022, new short-term let legislation was passed in the Scottish Parliament, requiring all short-term let landlords to have a license as part of the Government’s plan to tackle the increase...

Appointment of new directors as leading rural surveyors continue growth

March 3, 2023

Following a busy 2022 with the acquisition of two new companies and company expansion throughout Scotland, FBRSeed is delighted to announce they have recently appointed three long-standing members of the team as...

Business Acquisition – Ogilvy Chalmers

July 5, 2022

The FBRSeed team is delighted to announce their recent acquisition of Haddington-based firm, Ogilvy Chalmers. Previously owned by Francis Ogilvy, the company had a great reputation within the rural surveying and architecture...

Changes to Red Diesel Rules

February 17, 2022

From the 1st of April 2022, the rules that govern Red Diesel use will change. This change in government policy is part of a move towards net-zero by 2050. The government will...

New Short-Term Let Legislation Passed

February 8, 2022

Rural Scottish businesses are set to bear the brunt of the consequences of the Scottish Government’s new short-term let legislation. Landlords of all short-term let properties will be required to have licences...

Ask the Experts: Property Market Overview

December 15, 2021

Having been involved in countless valuations, farm and property sales, and land development, the past 18 months has not only been one of the busiest times for the team but one of...

Selling your Land for Forestry

November 23, 2021

Climate change has never been more in the spotlight than now, with the COP26 conference in Glasgow in early November. The world is trying to prepare for huge, yet still unknown changes...

The future of rural business in the South of Scotland: The Scottish Land and Estates Podcast.

November 3, 2021

We are delighted to share our episode from ScotLand Matters: The Scottish Land and Estates Podcast. Our managing director, David Seed, speaks alongside Scottish Land and Estates’s CEO Sarah-Jane Laing and Professor...

All together again at Rose Lane

October 21, 2021

Following the merge of FBR and Seed & Co in the summer of 2019, we are delighted to have made the big move into our new Rose Lane office. Despite Covid slowing...

Expansion up the East Coast

April 25, 2021

Like the majority of businesses across the UK, our team have been mainly working from home since the Coronavirus pandemic began last spring. After a short time adjusting to our new working...

Diversification into agritourism – OnFarm Podcast

April 22, 2021

We are delighted to share our episode from the OnFarm podcast. Speaking alongside Douglas Home & Co Chartered Accountants, our Managing Director, David Seed, discusses agritourism, diversification and the predicted staycation boom....

Ringing the changes in the Private Rented Sector

March 17, 2021

There have been many changes in the private rented sector over the last few years. Our property department manage multiple properties across the country; therefore, they have a clear understanding of what...

Relinquishment and Assignation Legislation for Tenant Farmers

March 17, 2021

The highly anticipated Relinquishment and Assignation Legislation from the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 finally came into force on the 28th February 2021. After five years of waiting for the legislation to...

Top tips for your property portfolio

February 12, 2021

Property management has definitely seen its fair share of challenges since the covid-19 pandemic began. Over the past 12 months property owners have had to stay on the ball as restrictions that...

2021 – The year of the staycation boom?

February 5, 2021

Following the first coronavirus lockdown, it was predicted that staycations would increase in the summer of 2020. There was a rise of Brits holidaying at home, but it is thought that 2021...

SBC Local Development Plan – Time is running out to submit a representation!

January 20, 2021

The Scottish Borders Council released their Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) in November and are welcoming representations until the 25th of January. This document sets out land use proposals and planning policies...

New Year, New Opportunities

January 6, 2021

The team at FBR Seed pride itself in helping rural clients to make the most of every business opportunity. As we enter a new year, despite the incredibly difficult challenges we faced...

Property Guidance During The 2021 Lockdown