Our People

Michael Yellowlees
Partner

Professional experience

Michael is a Partner and head of our Rural Services team. He specialises in rural property law, including buying, selling and leasing all types of rural property, with particular expertise in the acquisition and disposal of high value farms and estates. In addition, he provides clients with specialised advice in relation to agricultural law, crofting law, feudal dignities, mineral rights, renewable energy projects, servitudes and sporting rights.

Michael’s clients include a significant number of large landed estates, such as the Argyll, Lochiel and Murthly Estates, as well as numerous private individuals and corporate bodies with rural interests throughout Scotland. He also represents a number of renewable energy companies, including Gamesa Energy (UK) Limited, a Spanish Energy Company, in relation to various wind farm, hydro and biomass projects across Scotland.

Michael has a doctorate in Scottish History, which complements his professional interest in Scots property law. He is recognised by the Chambers and Partners 2011 directory as a 'Leader in his Field'.

Credential highlights

• Advising on all types of renewable energy projects including wind, hydro and biomass. Most recently he dealt with aspects of the documentation for a £35 million biomass combined heat and power plant near Newton St Boswells, The first project of its type in the Scottish Borders.
• Advising a wide range of not-for-profit clients on all aspects of their rural property interests, such as the University of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel Trust, The Bothy Trust, The Jacobites Mountaineering Club and The Heather Trust.
• Acting in the purchase of Lamb Island off North Berwick on behalf of the TV personality, Uri Geller, and the purchase of Sanda Island off the Mull of Kintyre for a foreign purchaser.
• A leading practitioner in the sale and purchase of Feudal Dignities, including Baronies, Lordships and Earldoms. Most recently acting in a number of high profile acquisitions including the purchase of the Earldoms of Nithsdale and Erroll.