Edinburgh +44 (0)131 450 7164 Glasgow +44 (0)141 244 0260 Aberdeen +44 (0) 1224 502 044 London +44 (0)203 174 2482 Dublin +353 (0)1 699 1360
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Associate- Rural Business & Natural Capital - Edinburgh

Agriculture & Rural - Private Practice
Ref: 583 Date Posted: Wednesday 18 Jun 2025

Top tier Scottish firm are looking to hire an Associate/ Senior Associate to join their highly successful Rural Business & Natural Capital team- this role is based in Edinburgh with hybrid- working on offer. 

Role Profile:

The Rural Business sector is a vibrant and important part of the Scottish economy that is constantly changing and requires solicitors that can adapt to clients’ needs and expectations. The sector encompasses not only traditional land uses and activities but wide-ranging commercial interests requiring commercially minded and innovative advisers.

The team are recognised as an ambitious and market leading team acting for estates, farming and rural businesses, community bodies, forestry investors, lenders, funders, developers and public sector organisations across Scotland- this is the largest dedicated team in this sector offering not only market leading legal but also first rate strategic and commercial advice. The role will include: 

  • Purchase and sale of estates, farms, forestry, and other rural land.
  • Ongoing management legal advice to estates and rural businesses of all sizes including sales of bare land, sales of residential properties, and advising on issues such as land reform, trustee/partnership conveyancing, creation of title conditions.
  • Providing advice to landowners on all types of rural development (in particular residential and renewables) and negotiating option and lease agreements and ancillary documentation. 
  • Advising on matters relating to agricultural holdings in both contentious and non-contentious situations, including the creation, termination and variation of agricultural tenancies, fixed equipment obligations and the pre-emptive right to buy.
  • Advising on other types of lettings, such as commercial, residential, sportings and amenity leases. 
  • Title queries relating to complex Sasine titles including boundary disputes, access issues and title conditions. 
  • Purchase, sale, letting and management of sporting interests including salmon fishings, grouse moors and deer forests.
  • Completion of voluntary registration projects for some of the most interesting and challenging titles in Scotland for some great clients.
  • Commercial and other contractual work related to land use (including overage agreements) and business structures in the sector.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Genuine interest and enthusiasm for the rural sector and rural property work and natural capital.
  • Experience of property law and conveyancing, including title investigation and due diligence and drafting and negotiation of property contracts.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.

On Offer:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package and a company that offers excellent work /life balance and career progression.

To Apply:

For a confidential discussion about this position, to request the full job description or to apply, please contact:

David Thomson- Director

Edinburgh: +44 (0) 131 450 7164

Glasgow: +44 (0) 141 244 0260

London: +44 (0) 203 174 2482

Dublin: +353 (0) 1 699 1360

Email: david@thomsonlrc.com