Bell Ingram Recognised as an Exemplary Employer for Carers

Bell Ingram is delighted to announce it has been recognised as a Carer Positive Exemplary organisation, the highest award offered by Carers Scotland.

The Carer Positive Exemplary award is presented to employers in Scotland who have a working environment where carers are valued and supported.

Carer Positive employers recognise the importance of supporting carers in their workforce through flexible working policies or with simple, practical measures which can make a big difference.  This helps with retaining experienced members of staff, reducing absence, and cutting down on avoidable recruitment costs.

Bell Ingram supports its carers through dedicated carer’s leave, flexible working, one hour a week for admin tasks, and our Carer’s Forum which meets regularly for employees to share practical tips about how to balance work and caring responsibilities, as well as a safe space to share some of the harder moments of life as a carer to a loved one.

HR Manager, Kirsty Watson said: “People are at the heart of Bell Ingram and as an employer we are committed to supporting our team in all aspects of their lives.  We have several carers already in the organisation who benefit from our supportive working environment. We look forward to working with Carers Scotland on how we can further improve life at Bell Ingram for our employees with caring responsibilities.”

Hayley Burton, Senior Employment Manager at Carers Scotland, who presented the award to Bell Ingram at its staff conference, congratulated Bell Ingram: “It has been fantastic to read about the support you have in place for carers across the organisation, how you support employees, and particularly those in rural areas where access to support and services can be more challenging and pose an additional barrier to caring.”

Scotland’s New Land Reform Bill: A Step Too Far for the Rural Economy?

The Scottish Government has passed a new Land Reform Bill that could see the enforced break-up of some of Scotland’s largest rural estates. The legislation aims to tackle the concentration of land ownership and increase community involvement in decisions about privately owned land.

Under the Bill, estates defined as Large Landholdings – generally those exceeding 1,000 hectares (though this threshold may yet change) – will face several new obligations, including:

• Land Management Plans: Owners must prepare a plan and consult local communities on its content.

• Ministerial Notification: Scottish Ministers must be notified before any Large Landholding is put up for sale.

• Community Purchase Rights: Community bodies will have enhanced rights to buy land when a Large Landholding is sold.

• Lotting Requirements: Before a sale, Ministers may require the estate to be divided into smaller parcels or “lots.”

The Bill has faced strong criticism across Scotland’s rural sector. Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, commented that “this legislation has succeeded in uniting landowners, land reform campaigners, lawyers, property agents and accountants – all of whom recognise that, whatever your stance on land reform, this is junk law.” She added that many provisions are so poorly drafted that they may take years to implement, if ever.

At Bell Ingram, we remain committed to guiding our clients through the complexities of this new legislation once it takes effect. The changes will undoubtedly bring significant challenges. New expectations around land management plans, community engagement, and the potential for enforced lotting will require considerable time, resources, and adaptability.

While the goal of empowering communities is understandable, the Government’s increasing involvement in the highly technical and specialist process of land sales risks undermining Scotland’s rural economy. Effective land management demands expertise, flexibility, and long-term planning – qualities best achieved through collaboration, not bureaucracy.

Speculation and the Property Market: Navigating the Uncertainty

Speculation feels like the perfect word to describe today’s property market. As we head into the short, dark days of winter and the festive season (when everything seems to grind to a halt), it’s easy to feel uncertain about what lies ahead for the rest of 2025. But let’s stay optimistic.

Buyers and Sellers: A Shift in Mindset

There is a growing awareness among buyers that commitment is key.  Serious interest means being ready to act, not just browse. Sellers, too, are recognising that waiting around for a buyer to sell their own property isn’t always a viable strategy.

Competitive Closings and Chain-Free Advantage

We have recently seen several properties attract significant interest, with competitive bidding on closing dates. These dates help wrap up the marketing process and often lead to offers being accepted from buyers in strong, chain-free positions, even if they haven’t offered the highest price. Certainty and speed are increasingly valued.

Simplicity, Strategy, and Sound Advice

The market doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be navigated with care. That’s where your agent comes in, offering clear, current advice and helping you set realistic prices and manage expectations.

Local Experts, Real Experience

Our team of agents across our offices in Scotland brings years of local knowledge and hands-on experience. Whatever the market conditions, we’re here to guide you through it with confidence and clarity. Click here now to arrange your no obligation market appraisal.