Welcome to our campaign hub for the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections, which will take place on 7 May 2026. Here you’ll find the latest updates, insights, and actions from our work to put nature-friendly farming at the top of the political agenda - and how you can get involved as parties set out their priorities for the next parliamentary term.
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Farming on the frontline: Navigating Scotland’s new political landscape
14 May 2026
A reflection from NFFN Scotland on the results of the election to Holyrood.
The dust is finally settling on the 2026 Scottish election. As the final list of MSPs is confirmed and the horse-trading in Edinburgh begins, those of us with boots on the ground are watching. In the quiet pockets of rural Scotland, the conversation isn’t just about who sits in the big chairs at Holyrood; it is about how those decisions filter down to the soil, the livestock, and the biodiversity we are trying to protect.
Recently, two voices from the NFFN caught up to chat through the results. Cora, a hill sheep farmer in Ayrshire, was grabbing a quick sandwich before heading back out to the lambing fields, while country manager Nim was navigating the post-election bustle near Edinburgh. Their conversation reflected a shared sense of cautious optimism, tempered by the practical realities of Scottish agriculture.
Continuity and change
A significant talking point was the re-election of Jim Fairlie. In a period of immense transition, there is a value in continuity. The Scottish Government’s commitment to avoiding the drastic reduction in livestock numbers seen in other parts of the UK is a vital message for farmers like Cora. Our livestock are not merely units of production; they are integral to the health of our ecosystems.
As Cora noted, her Herdwicks and North Country Cheviots have different grazing patterns that are essential for the ongoing restoration of peatlands. These animals are a tool for land management, reducing wildfire risks and encouraging healthy vegetation through diversification. When we talk about livestock emissions, we must also talk about the life they deliver into the soil.
The power of collaboration
However, the political landscape is not without its friction. The decision by some party leaders to refuse power-sharing agreements was met with disappointment. The Scottish Parliament was designed for proportional representation and consensus-building. For farming to thrive, we need a diversity of views at the table.
We are moving in line with the plans laid out in the Rural Support Plan (that takes us to 2031) and there are practical hurdles that need clearing. Farmers need a subsidy system that is flexible and transparent. Nim and Cora discussed the need for better feedback loops in grant applications; knowing why a project wasn’t funded is just as important as the funding itself. Furthermore, we cannot allow outdated IT systems to be the bottleneck for innovative farming.
A holistic vision
At the heart of the NFFN’s mission is the rejection of the old argument that pits food production against nature. As Nim highlighted during their chat, we need to move away from viewing the animal as a simple equation where you put grass in one end and get meat out the other.
The future of Scottish agriculture lies in integrated land management. It is about the dung beetles in the fields, the ground-nesting birds in the heather, and the farmers who have the husbandry skills to balance it all.
As the new government takes shape, our message remains clear: listen to the farmers who are already doing the work. We don't need a shift in culture to happen overnight, but we do need the tools, the political will, and the collaborative spirit to ensure that Scotland’s landscapes remain productive, beautiful, and resilient for generations to come.
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Party manifestos in the ring: Our stock judging scorecard
23 April 2026
The elections are almost upon us, and with them comes a flood of promises, pledges, and bold visions for the future. But what do the party manifestos really say - and how do they stack up against each other? We’ve been in the judging ring so you don’t have to, applying our own stock judging-style scorecard to size up each party on what matters most. Let’s take a closer look.