Rural research

Agriculture in Aberdeenshire

The North East of Scotland Agriculture Advisory Group (NESAAG), Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Enterprise commissioned this study to build on their previous reviews of agriculture in Aberdeenshire. The main report is structured into an analysis of the 2003 to 2007 trends.

PDF document Agriculture in Aberdeenshire Summary Document - November 2008 (PDF, 1.10MB) Opens in a new window

Rural Communities and Economic Development

The overall purpose of this research has been to examine how community-based economic development could be used to best effect in enabling smaller rural communities to become more sustainable and deliver significant economic outputs.

Word document Rural Communities and Economic Development final report - April 2008 (Word, 975kB) Opens in a new window

Farm Retail in Lowland Scotland

The Review of Farm Retail in Lowland Scotland was commissioned to gain a better understanding of the role of farm shops, pick your own (PYO) and farm gate sales in the direct marketing of local food and drink.

Word document Review of Farm Retail in Lowland Scotland - March 2008 (Word, 1.39MB)Opens in a new window

Primary Land-based Business study

Literature review examining  the economic, social and environmental contribution of primary land-based businesses in Scotland. Commissioned by Scottish Enterprise (on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Rural Group, Scottish Estates Business Group, National Farmers Union of Scotland and Scottish Rural Property and Business Association), it forms the first stage in a larger initiative to examine the impact of primary land-based businesses.

PDF document Primary Land-based business study (PDF, 819kB)Opens in a new window

Rural Business Premises and Economic Development

The report presents our analysis of background and supporting research.

PDF document Rural Business Premises and Economic Development report (PDF, 1.33MB) Opens in a new window

Barriers To Rural Economic Development In Scotland

The aim of this report was to provide evidence of the extent to which certain infrastructural and institutional barriers affect rural economic development, particularly in new business formation, in the farming communities within Scottish Enterprise areas.

Word document Barriers to Rural Economic Development in Scotland report (Word, 254kB)Opens in a new window