Decade-long fight for land gifted to St Andrews by Mary Queen of Scots finally pays off
A community group which won a test case under the Land Reform Act to take control of a historic piece of land gifted to St Andrews by Mary Queen of Scots has finally taken possession of it - after a near decade of campaigning.
The Poets’ Neuk plans to transform the neglected land in the town’s conservation area into a public garden which will reflect its history as the site of the chapel of the mediaeval Franciscan - “Greyfriars” - Friary and its association with the monarch who gifted this, and other former church land, in St Andrews to the town in 1567, on the eve of her abdication.
It will feature plaques illustrating its history and poems by, and about, Scotland’s tragic queen. Planting will include roses in cultivation in Mary’s lifetime. In a second stage of development a statue of Queen Mary will be erected.
There is still significant work ahead for the community group, but one it is committed to after such a prolonged legal battle to secure the land.
St Andrews Preservation Trust had seen several bids to buy the land rejected by its owners - a trust based in the Isle of Man.
Poets’ Neuk was formed in 2017 to take advantage of the Community Right to Buy legislation, introduced by the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Act of 2016.
Part 5 of the Act allowed compulsory purchase - if the community group could demonstrate that this would prevent harm, caused by neglect, and promote sustainable development.
It spent six years building the evidence and demonstrating community support before Scottish Ministers authorised the acquisition in 2023. Previous efforts to buy land by mutual consent had proved unsuccessful.
The Poets’ Neuk’s application was the first to be granted under the Act, but the actual transfer of the land was delayed by an appeal which was dismissed at Dundee Sheriff Court in 2025, but the campaign was far from over.
Subsequent obstacles took almost 18 months to resolve. These were mainly caused by a complicated ownership structure, comprising different trusts in the Isle of Man; several changes of name; the need to discharge a large mortgage on the property; and the two legal jurisdictions involved.
Lawyers acting for the owners said the case tested the balance between individual property rights and the public interest, which, it said, sat at the heart of Scotland’s ongoing land reform efforts.
Dundee based MML Law’s website described it as “a ground-breaking case with the potential for far-reaching consequences” and added: “Property owners across Scotland should be paying close attention to how this case unfolds and what it could mean for their rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.”
Welcoming the final completion of the purchase, Graham Wynd, chair of Poets’ Neuk, said: “This is tremendous news for the St Andrews community and the dedicated group of local residents who have supported this project through many years, dating back to 2017.
“We now have the major task of bringing the Poetry Garden project to a successful conclusion and we do not underestimate the challenges involved and the wide community effort that will be needed. I have no doubt that this will be forthcoming.”
Anne Morris, a local resident and member of Poets’ Neuk, added: “Our cultural heritage can be so easily lost if not safeguarded through careful stewardship.
“Placing this land in the hands of the community is the first stage in a project to develop an imaginative scheme which will secure and interpret this historic site for the benefit of present and future generations.”
The group also hopes its success will encourage other organisations to use the legislation to secure land for the community.
David Middleton, secretary said: “It is not an easy task, but the rewards will be great when they are achieved.”