The census figures also revealed what the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association branded a staggering decline in the amount of let land in Scotland.
The area rented out showed a 51,891 acre decline in the last year, representing the loss of 370 tenanted holdings. In the last decade there has been a 20% fall.
Chairman Christopher Nicholson said even the most pessimistic estimates that it had done on the area lost came nowhere near to the actual figure. He warned: “Unless positive action is taken to ensure tenanted land remains within the sector there will be fewer and fewer opportunities for new entrants and the remaining rungs will vanish from the farming ladder.”
Mr Nicholson said there was spare agricultural capacity and opportunities for land to be let across the country as there were scores of acres of it being underutilised. He also criticised the alleged lack of investment on farms rented out on short-term lets. He added: “This is stifling initiative and preventing Scottish agriculture from realising its potential.”
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said less than a quarter of Scotland’s farmland was now let out, while the number of tenancies was down 10% in the last five years. “This continuing decline demonstrates the importance of the forthcoming review of agricultural holdings legislation I will lead. Many tenant farmers have made the case that current tenure arrangements stifle on-farm investment.”
Mr Lochhead said government in its review needed to consider what is in the best interest of rural communities and the role that individual landownership played in that. He has already said the review will consider a proposal to give secure tenants an absolute right to buy their farm, adding it was important there is a full and frank dialogue on this. Landowners’ views also needed to be heard.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said it was now more important than ever for help to be given from the Cap to young people enter farming.