Key Points

This annual publication provides summary statistics for 2024 of assets owned by community groups in Scotland. It is usually published in the autumn of the following year the statistics refer to.

Community Ownership in Scotland 2024: Land, Buildings and Other Assets Owned by Community Groups

At December 2024:

• There were 853 assets in community ownership in Scotland, an increase of 23 (3%) from 830 in 2023. These are owned by 503 groups.
• Most assets in community ownership are land and/or buildings. These cover an area of 213,803 hectares, which is 2.7% of the total land area of Scotland.
• Na h-Eileanan Siar contains 153,678 hectares of community owned land, 72% of the total land area in community ownership.
• The Highland and Argyll and Bute local authorities together contain 326 assets, therefore making up 38% of all assets in community ownership.
• There are 21 assets which are not land and/or buildings. These include a ferry, a small boat, a pontoon for berthing watercraft, a single car transporter and salmon fishing rights for a river.
• Community groups paid just over £4.0 million for the 23 assets acquired in 2024.
• Rural areas of Scotland contain 80% of community owned assets and these assets make up over 99% of the land area in community ownership.