This article by Robert Sutherland was first published this month in the Real Estate Law Newsletter of the IBA Legal Practice Division. The article examines the substantial changes which have been made to landownership in Scotland since 2000, and the new legislation during the same period which materially affects the private property rights of landowners in order to bring about a variety of public benefits. The full Newsletter can be found at www.ibanet.org/images/downloads/Newsletters/RealEstateLawOct2008.pdf.