Assets: changes over time

Assets in community ownership in 2024: 853

Figure 1: A steady upward trend in community owned assets has been seen since 2000

The number of community owned assets recorded in Scotland as of 31 December 2024 by year ownership was taken, from 2000 to 2024

Assets where the transfer date is earlier than 2000 are included in the total for 2000. As at December 2024, 8% of assets had a year of purchase or transfer before 2000.

The figure is available in the Figures supporting document.

The number of assets in community ownership in 2024 was 853, 23 (3%) higher than in 2023. There has been an increase in recent years with almost two thirds of assets (567) acquired after 2010. The figure shows the initiatives and legislation coming into effect in 2001, 2004 and 2016, which supported community ownership.

The process of taking an asset into community ownership can be complex and lengthy. Most community groups apply for funding to help with the purchase, for example from the Scottish Land Fund. This generally requires them to present evidence of community engagement, support for the proposed acquisition, and that the current owner is willing to sell.

There can be a delay between the introduction of an initiative to support community ownership and the resulting asset purchase.