(205)  And now the end is nigh, the final curtain …

The feudal system of land tenure survives still in Scotland, some 200 years after it was dismantled in most other countries. But not for much longer. The Deputy First Minister has announced on 21 November 2002 that the feudal system is to be abolished on 28 November 2004. On that day there will be brought into force both the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Act 2000, and also the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Scottish Parliament. 

 

In addition, the Land Reform (Scotland ) Bill 2003 was finally passed in the Scottish Parliament on 20 January 2003.  The Bill provides for rights of access to land, and for community rights (including crafting community rights) to buy land (see also Nos 48, 98).