Minutes of 1st Discussion Meeting - Scottish Land Collective (SLC)

22/01/2025

Greetings & Purpose of Meeting

5 individuals attended the initial meeting (names not given as consent to share was not discussed)
Apologies were made by several individuals who could not attend but who were keen to attend in future
It was highlighted that initial meeting was just to meet each other, see what people’s interests were and to share ideas

People’s Interests / Experience

After introducing themselves the members of the group briefly discussed their interests and former work around the purchase of land/property by people of colour in Scotland. This included

The need to address housing inequality and to improve the experience of marginalised individuals
To have a safe space for people of colour – on a day-to-day basis and in the event of an emergency or disaster
To respond to the experience during COVID that left many of us feeling isolated
To build community and support networks
To help people purchase property
To have something of our own
To buy land as a form of reparations/ decolonial action/ healing justice
To have a space connected to the natural environment where we can heal and to help our well-being
To have a safe space for learning and community activism that is offline
To have a space for creativity
To have a space for learning about our heritage and history
We felt their should be alternatives to high rentals or bank-owned mortgages – something that will benefit our community – one participant shared their knowledge of how the Windrush generation made collective purchases of property
Those present had a differing level of experience and knowledge
It was noted that two individuals had started work on considering housing cooperative / associations
One member had begun a CIC that focused on housing but that was connected to the other areas discussed
The group members noted that they appreciated a space to come together and to share ideas rather than working in silos

The initial Idea

Addy Adelaine discussed the work she had been doing so far and the reason for starting the WhatsApp group

Addy discussed her background in research (especially in anti-racism and decolonisation) and in emergency planning/disaster preparedness
Addy’s primary interest was two-fold: First, to have a safe space where we could learn, teach and do community activism and secondly, to have a space that would support community resilience.
Addy had also conceptualised the space that could be utilised for arts, outdoors activities and for reconnecting with the natural environment
Addy had learnt about Black-led initiatives in the USA, https://www.wildseedcommunity.org/ – https://www.soulfirefarm.org/ and community Black led spaces/farms led by her cousin in New York. She had also heard of initiatives led by LGBTQ+ and disabled individuals in the UK , but had never heard of a Black led initiative in the UK
Addy discussed how last year she visited a community-owned pub in Knoydart, Scotland. This was set up as what is referred to as a community benefit society
After visiting the pub,
Addy started to research the CBS model and was considering if this model could be used to purchase a property/land in Scotland led by people of colour https://www.theoldforge.co.uk/
After some searching Addy has begun working with an organisation (DTA) that is advising on how to legally set this up https://dtascot.org.uk/
It is not a typical fit for their work as they usually work with groups based in a specific geographic area, but they recognise that people of colour may need a different approach as individuals are connected by identity rather than location
The advisor recommended that the first step was to build momentum and to find others who were interested and this was one of the reasons she started the WhatsApp group
Addy noted that there were many different possible approaches that could be adopted but she was leaning towards this

Discussion – Evidence and Research Needed

The group discussed how it might be beneficial to look at the data in Scotland around race and issues such as housing
It was agreed that this would be helpful
Addy noted her background in research and how she was hoping to apply for a small research group to look into this
It was also noted how tricky it was in Scotland to get data – there are lots of data gaps and inconsistencies in definitions that makes data hard to find
We felt that doing our own research and meeting people to discuss would help raise awareness and help make a case to show the need for this work

Discussion – Scope & Identity

The group discussed the potential scope of the work in regard to identity

The discussion on data led the group to discuss identity
It was noted that many of us disliked the term people of colour, but we all felt that the work should be led with those who have lived experience of racism (in regard to visible ethnic minority groups rather than white ethnic minority groups)
Whilst it was noted that all present had an African or Caribbean heritage, the group shared their experience of anti-Blackness in Scotland.
The group noted that often they felt Black /African/ Caribbean voices were marginalised compared to white ethnic minority groups of other people of colour
To address anti-blackness, it was suggested that a Black-led group should be established
The members agreed they were leaning towards this, but whilst the org might be Black led it would still work with and include other ethnic groups and allies
It was agreed that it would be important to work out definitions and terms and to be clear what we meant, but acknowledged this would take time, and we would never make everyone happy
It was also recognised that this was just an initial small first meeting and we weren’t at a point of making decisions yet

Discussion – Scope and Urban or Rural Location

It was noted that we all were starting from different places with our interests and focus
Some were primarily focused on urban housing (towns or cities), whilst others were initially focused on rural/remote areas
The group discussed the pros and cons of work – there is a huge need in urban areas and often no place for communities or places where we can feel safe in an increasingly hostile environment – however, it could be good to focus on a rural location as it might be safer for activism, a place where we can switch-off and a place where we could be safe in an emergency. A rural location would also be cheaper
If working in a rural area, it was agreed, it should still be accessible by public transport
We considered work in areas such as Paisley and Greenock, which were cheap, but which have a rapidly growing Black community.
Overall, the group felt that it would be best to have both an urban and a rural base
We discussed how it might be good to start work on both, but with purchase costs, we might be able to buy in a rural area first

Discussion – Organisational Structure

Again, we discussed the community benefit society again
We felt further thought and discussion of organisational models is needed as there are pros and cons of each type of organisation
However, initially we felt that different models could be tried in different locations – perhaps a community benefit society in a rural location and a CIC/housing association in an urban location
We noted that different types of orgs would diversify income potential
We felt, though, that we should work collectively and support each other even if setting up different orgs

Discussion – Gender

The group discussed the possibility of having an organisation which was led by women
It was highlighted that we should define what we mean by women and it was agreed that our definition would include trans women
(After the meeting it was noted that non-binary, gender non-conforming individuals were not explicitly discussed – In the WhatsApp meeting it was highlighted that this was an oversight and should be discussed within the next meeting)
We recognised that this may be a positive way of challenging typical power dynamics
It was noted that this decision might also work positively for funding purposes
The group leaned towards this option but would still want an organisation that worked with and included men, even if it was female-led. We would also work together with other orgs that weren’t
It was also recognised that this was just an initial small first meeting, and we weren’t at a point of making decisions yet

Next Steps

The group members agreed that they would like to continue the conversation and would like to set up another meeting
Some group members expressed a desire to meet in person next time
Whilst some group members stated they preferred to meet online it was felt that there should be a mix of online and in person meetings
It was suggested that we should vary and change meeting locations
It was suggested that we should initially meet in Edinburgh
Some group members suggested adding to a collective pot to collectively cover initial costs
Whilst this wasn’t ruled out as a possibility, it was suggested that we should first seek financial support/grants to help in the early stages
Addy agreed to write up notes and share in the WhatsApp group
Addy would also do a doodle poll to help arrange the next meeting