US Politics: Scottish village sues government over land reform bid to buy local pub

North Queensferry, Scotland — Residents of the Fife village have filed a legal challenge against the Scottish Government after officials blocked their bid to buy the Albert Hotel under the country’s land reform laws. The North Queensferry Community Trust says it wants to rescue the 200-year-old building, which closed in 2017, and restore it as a pub and hotel serving the local community.

Under the land reform framework introduced by the SNP, communities can press for a sale if they demonstrate a credible, sustainable development plan. The Trust proposed a £2 million bid to purchase the Albert from the Festival Inns Limited SSAS pension fund, which is run by Edinburgh businessman Kenneth Waugh, and reopen it as a public-facing hospitality venue. The bid has been backed by Sarah Brown, the wife of former prime minister Gordon Brown, who has described the Albert as a much-loved community asset. In March, Scottish Government officials rejected the bid, saying that while the plans would bring a social hub and economic benefits, those benefits were unlikely to be achieved.

Details about the Albert: dating back to 1824, renamed in 1842 in honor of Queen Victoria's husband after a royal visit en route to Balmoral. The 200-year-old listed building has exterior signage that featured in the 2022 Steve Coogan film The Lost King. It is owned by Festival Inns Limited SSAS, a pension fund run in part by Kenneth Waugh. North Queensferry has about 1,100 residents, and the village has one other pub, which closed during the pandemic. A separate planning bid to convert the Albert into flats was rejected by Fife Council, drawing objections from some residents including Sarah Brown.

To fund the restoration, the North Queensferry Community Trust has set a £2 million target, drawing on gifts from locals, grants, and the National Lottery. Its initial attempt to buy the property for £240,000 in 2021 was rejected. The Trust argues the project is grounded in expert advice and would deliver a viable hospitality business and broader community benefits, while opponents warn of financial risk and potential planning complications. Both the Trust and the owners were contacted for comment.

Legal progress and next steps: The case reached Dunfermline Sheriff Court last week, and a full hearing is expected later this year as the Trust seeks to overturn the government decision. The case underscores the use of Scotland’s land reform powers to preserve local assets and control over community assets amid a broader debate about how best to sustain rural hubs.

The dispute arrives at a moment when US politics frequently debates the ownership and management of local assets, including discussions around community land trusts and municipal ownership as tools to preserve community spaces. While the Scottish case centers on a historic building in a small village, its implications touch on wider questions about how communities can shape the fate of local assets and the role of government in facilitating or blocking those efforts.