The ‘tenacious, accurate, and experienced’ team at Harper Macleod LLP acts for a wide roster of clients, including rural property owners and private sector bodies, handling the full range of agricultural and estate mandates. The practice showcases a ’vast wealth of knowledge’ in forestry, natural heritage, and crofting work. Graeme Nisbet leads the team, broadening the practice’s offering to include natural heritage and national park authority cases, while Calum MacLeod specialises in crofting, agricultural tenancies, and general rural property matters. Focusing on farm acquisition and expansion mandates, Tom Gray also leads on commercial forest sales, and tenancy implementation issues. Hannah McIntosh is another key contact in the team.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Tom Gray handled the sale of our land and further servitude rights with knowledge and efficiency. He was approachable and responsive.’
‘Individuals provide a sense of security, along with a personal touch and do provide a honest assessment with integrity and transparency. Tom Gray has provided an excellent service and has gained the trust and respect of myself and concluded the transaction with true professionalism.’
‘Strong team, enough resource to get the job done, tenacious, accurate and experienced.’
‘The team have a vast wealth of knowledge of a variety of rural matters, covering agricultural issues, disposal advice, disputes and boundary issues. They are flexible in their approach to dealing with new situations and always combine resources to give clear and concise advice that enable us to resolve most issues quickly.’
‘Tom Gray and Hannah McIntosh are both excellent and manage a large caseload efficiently and thoroughly, whilst keeping me informed of progress.’
'Calum Macleod has a very good grasp of rural property law, including crofting, and how it applies to commercial deals in the countryside. He is not afraid of sticking to his guns where appropriate and necessary.'
‘Good local knowledge and relationships in the Inverness area. Experienced in country estate law.’
‘We dealt with Graeme Nisbet and he was extremely approachable and helpful. Nothing was ever too much bother. He was very patient in explaining legal jargon and what was possible in a particular situation.’
Key clients
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- Craignathro Farms Limited
- The Langholm Initiative
- The Firm of B&CC Taylor
- Elderslie Golf Club
- Scottish Forestry
- Scaniport Estate
- Keoldale Sheep Stock Club
- NatureScot
- King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer
- EnergieKontor UK Limited
- Clydesdale Bank UK PLC
- City of Edinburgh Council
- HSBC Bank
- Accountant in Bankruptcy
- Ceannacroc Estate
- Strathcluanie Limited
- Tomchrasky Estate
- Melness Crofters Estate
- Garbh Allt Community Initiative
- New Kelso Estate
- Firm of B& J Mackay
- Cunninghame Housing Association
- Inchinnan Development Trust
- Poultrade Limited
- Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Forestry and Land Scotland in the sale of a commercial forest extending to over 1,350 acres at Peel Wood, Newcastleton.
- Advised Kilravock Christian Trust SCIO in the sale of portfolio of properties at Kilravock Castle and Estate, in the Highlands.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Graeme Nisbet