Meet the team
Michael Yellowlees
Partner, Head of Rural Services
Rural Services
Phone
0131 656 5669
Address
Caledonian Exchange 19A Canning Street Edinburgh EH3 8HE
Law Society of Scotland accredited specialist in Agricultural Law
About Michael
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, Strathconon, 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. Michael is a member of the Crofting Law Group and the Scottish Renewables Forum. He handles rural property transactions and developments, with a niche grasp of heraldic rights. Michael is a Director of the Scottish Barony Register.
Expertise
Highlights
- Advising on all types of renewable energy projects including wind, hydro, solar and biomass.
- 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. He also acts for ‘island clients’ on Colonsay, Islay, Lismore, Mull Tiree, Berneray, South Uist, Harris, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland.
- The 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.
- Recent new clients include Strathconon Estate in Ross & Cromarty and Eishken Estate on the Isle of Lewis.
"The head of the firm's rural services team Michael Yellowlees has a significant practice in rural property transactions. Yellowlees is described as "steady, responsive and proactive, with an excellent command of the legal landscape.""
Chambers UK: A Client's guide to the UK legal profession
News & Insights
From the team
news
Susan Law, Partner in our Rural Services team, featured in The Scottish Farmer talking about the ongoing legislative changes affecting the sector
news 2 October 2019
The timescale for completing voluntary land registration may no longer be imminent but it is still worthwhile for landowners to consider taking action
news
Succession planning for farmers can be complex, it’s about more than just retirement and needs thorough consideration
insights 9 August 2019
If you are considering purchasing a croft, be aware that your property may be restricted by the crofting regime and take advice to ensure you understand the associated duties
news
Congratulations to Andrew Duff in our Rural services team in Edinburgh who has been promoted to Director
news 20 June 2019
While the new Telecoms Code has generally been more favourable for telecoms companies than landowners, recent English case law has gone some way to redress the balance
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