What we do

Managing a diverse property portfolio across Scotland, we work in partnership with politicians, businesses and communities, for mutual benefit.

Overview

Overview

 In Scotland we are:

  • an active and committed supporter of the policies of the Scottish Government 
  • an expert, professional and trusted intermediary for companies considering major investment in renewable energy in Scottish waters
  • a promoter of Scottish companies and communities seeking to make the most of supply chain opportunities in the marine renewable energy industry
  • an active and supportive landlord on our marine and rural holdings in Scotland.
Offshore renewables

Offshore renewables

In offshore renewable energy we have worked with industry to understand their aspirations, at the same time as working with Government to help meet their aims. This has resulted in leasing rounds such as the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters (wave and tidal) and the Scottish Territorial Waters Offshore Wind round.

In the last five years The Crown Estate has invested £16 million in offshore renewable energy in Scotland, and we plan to invest £20 million over the next five years in the development of renewable energy in Scotland including wind, wave and tidal stream energy.

Included within our investment is our 'enabling actions' fund, supporting the progression of wind, wave and tidal programmes around Scotland to the point of lodging applications for consent from the appropriate regulator. Through match funding option fees we are helping to build confidence with investors and developers working on our offshore wind programme.

In 2010 we opened ongoing application windows for further wave and tidal leases accepting projects up to 30MW to support the Scottish Government's £10 million Saltire Prize, designed to support innovation in renewable energy. Two sites have been awarded Agreements for Lease, one off the coast of Lewis and the other off Shetland.

The success of this work has often relied on the strong relationships formed between The Crown Estate and developers. We set up a developers' forum to facilitate collaboration between wave and tidal developers in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, leading to our information days in Orkney and Caithness, attended by more than 700 people, and with more than 90 per cent commenting in favour of the programme's development.

 

Aquaculture

Aquaculture

We continue to work with and promote the aquaculture industry, which supports more than 6,000 jobs in Scotland.

Through our biennial Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards we showcase best practice in the industry, and last year invested over £100,000 in research and development including the remote detection of jellyfish blooms.

We see further commercial potential in seaweed around Scotland, and are exploring its potential in line with the Scottish Government's draft National Marine Plan through the commissioning of studies to inform a commercial production pilot project.

Coastal estate

Coastal estate

By investing in our coastal estate we are able to strengthen Scotland's position as a marine tourism destination. This investment has included £1.4 million for improvements to Rhu Marina, which will create more shelter and increase the number of berths by 58 to 249 in what is widely regarded as one of the world's finest sailing areas.

In the north of Scotland, we invested £250,000 towards creating a 70-berth marina in Wick in partnership with Wick Harbour Authority and Highlands and Island Enterprise, as part of an ongoing programme of upgrades and improvements that will be implemented across a number of Scotland's coastal and sailing communities.

Rural estate

Rural estate

Through the active management of our estate, we work to enhance its value whilst ensuring its long-term sustainability. Partnership is an important part of our approach, and we look to co-invest with our tenants and stakeholders, to deliver mutual benefit. Through financial investment and by granting long-term leases to sound businesses we give tenants the security to strengthen, grow and diversify their business.

Some of the country's best wildlife and geological sites are in our care. We are engaging with tenants and other partners to develop a wide range of initiatives to enhance the environment, and are guardians of a significant amount of cultural heritage, supporting local tourism, recreation and economic development.  We've encouraged public understanding of forestry through initiatives such as the Forests for the Future education pack and through continued support for National Tree Week, with programmes of tree planting across our estates.

Every year we reinvest around £2 million into the rural estate in Scotland, and during 2010/11 continued our £1 million programme of improvements to agricultural buildings following the harsh winter of 2009/10. This included constructing new buildings, carrying out major refurbishments and energy efficiency works - and the creation of small-scale renewable energy programmes.