Next Generation Partners

Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland in Scotland

Brodies LLP

Brodies LLP is home to a number of the market’s most accomplished commercial property lawyers outside of the Central Belt with the team often leveraging the firm’s wider planning, tax, environment, construction and litigation capabilities. In Aberdeen, Tracey Menzies specialises in commercial and residential transactions and developments, with a particular focus on the office, housebuilding and build-to-rent (BTR) sectors. Elsewhere, Inverness-based Karren Smith‘s recent work spans land acquisitions, reorganisations and portfolio management matters. Senior associate Jenna McCosh (Aberdeen) is geared to support on development, leasing, asset management and finance mandates.

Practice head(s):

Johane Murray


Other key lawyers:

Tracey Menzies; Karren Smith; Jenna McCosh


Testimonials

‘Depth of knowledge and skill in their sector.’

‘The team is friendly, responsive, and delivers all that we require in terms of quality of advice in a very timely manner.’

‘Tracey Menzies gives excellent support in the preparation of leases and property disposals which we regularly carry out as part of our daily business.’

‘Strength in numbers and the ability to look at a complex deal and help make it happen.’

‘Tracey Menzies is very commercial and to-the-point. She has the ability and experience to focus on the important points and not get bogged down with everything else.’

Key clients

Aberdeen City Council


Aberdeenshire Council


Bancon Group


CALA Homes


Cater Property Investment


Cooke Aquaculture


Drum Property Group


GSS Developments


Knight Property Group


Lerwick Port Authority


Mandale Group


Montrose Port Authority


Ponticelli


Tulloch Homes


University of Aberdeen


University of Edinburgh


University of West of Scotland


Warehouse 13


Workplace Commercial Estates


Work highlights


  • Acting for Elmford Ltd in the sale of land to Avant Homes for two phases of residential development at Robroyston in Glasgow.
  • Acting for Mandale in the purchase of a site in Edinburgh for residential development.
  • Acting for Knight Property Group in the pre-let and subsequent lease of the first unit at the industrial development at Belgrave Logistics Park, Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Burness Paull LLP

Burness Paull LLP has particular accomplishment in development, regeneration, investment, corporate occupier and finance affairs, with the Aberdeen-based team especially active within the energy, BTR, healthcare, housebuilding, retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. The main contacts include head of the firm’s housebuilding group Richard Goodfellow, an expert in residential and commercial development schemes, and John Strachan, a regular advisor to funders and developers on development transactions and affordable housing projects, respectively.

Practice head(s):

Scott Peterkin


Other key lawyers:

Richard Goodfellow; John Strachan; Yvonne Byrne


Testimonials

‘The team is particularly knowledgeable of Scottish property law and helpful in guiding English lawyers through the intricacies of buying property in Scotland.’

‘Yvonne Byrne is pragmatic and a good communicator.’

Key clients

Oceaneering International


CBRE


John Clark Motor Group


Mains of Taymouth Ltd


Verdant Leisure


Pure Leisure


University of St Andrews


Air Products plc


Forum Energy Technologies (UK) Limited


Highland Fuels Limited


Scanbio Limited


Uppermill Farms


Welltec


First Endeavour LLP


Levelling Up Real Estate


Bancon Homes


FirstGroup


Snowdrop Developments


Henry Boot Developments


TGI Fridays


Work highlights


  • Advising University of St. Andrews and St Andrews West Properties Limited on their joint venture for the development of land for facilities, student accommodation, commercial uses, care homes and residential development known.
  • Advising John Clark Motor Group on various developments, including a new Jaguar Landrover flagship facility in Stirling, a dealership at Baird Avenue (Dundee), the refurbishment of Land Rover Newbridge, and a new Volvo dealership at Newbridge.
  • Acting for CBRE in respect of their 10-year lease of their new Aberdeen HQ within the Marischal Square development.

CMS

Active on leasing, investment, finance, asset management and development mandates, CMS‘s Aberdeen practice caters to a broad mixture of clients, including occupational leasers, investment funds and energy sector players thanks to the expertise of team head Carol Nisbet. The team, which also includes senior associate Karla Ritchie, often draws on the firm’s UK-wide funds, finance, construction, planning, environmental and litigation expertise.

Practice head(s):

Carol Nisbet; Paul Carter


Other key lawyers:

Karla Ritchie


Key clients

Opportunity North East


Storegga Limited


Columbia Threadneedle Investments


Knight Frank Investment Management


CBREGI


EnQuest plc Duncan & Todd Group


Abrdn


Hunting plc


Lloyds Register EMEA


Work highlights


  • Acting for Opportunity North East on the SeedPod development (Aberdeen) in excess of £21m.
  • Advising the UK decarbonisation developer, Storegga, on the development of a direct air capture facility in northeast Scotland.
  • Advised Columbia Threadneedle Investments on the £10.25m sale of Aviemore Retail Park.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Among the key strengths of Pinsent Masons LLP‘s practice are commercial and residential development and regeneration schemes. The Aberdeen-based team is led by Rodney Whyte, an expert in housebuilding who often handles planning matters, s75 agreements, large-scale developments, and transactions. Also immersed within the housebuilding sector is senior associate Michael Shepherd, who provides advice in relation to acquisitions, sales and title examinations.

Practice head(s):

Rodney Whyte


Other key lawyers:

Michael Shepherd


Testimonials

‘Excellent engagement from the associates.’

‘A team with fantastic attention to detail alongside the ability to look at the wider objective.’

‘Rodney Whyte is an absolute expert in his field – a consummate and knowledgeable professional able to deal with the contractual intricacies of development deals.’

Key clients

CALA Group


BDW Trading Limited


Avant Homes (Scotland) Limited


Persimmon Homes Limited


GSS Developments (Aberdeen) Limited


Aker


Taqa Bratani


Aberdeen Harbour Board


Mactaggart & Mickel


Bellway Homes Limited


Bancon Homes


Watt Taylor Limited


Robertson Homes Limited


John Dick (Farming) Limited


Almond Valley Limited


TLW Trading Properties Limited


Cruden Homes


Stenprop


Railpen


Oakridge Properties Limited


China Triumph Engineering Ltd


Work highlights


  • Acting for Cala in their 900-unit development at Builyeon Road (South Queensferry) including the acquisition and site assembly of the development, all planning and utilities advice, and the sale of 2 phases of the development to Lovell Partnerships.
  • Advised Almond Valley Limited on development of land at Almond Valley Village (Perth) including the acquisition and site assembly of the development, as well as all planning and utilities advice.
  • Advised Ropemaker Properties Limited on numerous transactions across Scotland, involving hotel premises, distribution warehouses, and student accommodation.

Aberdein Considine

At Aberdein Considine, the workload is spread across acquisitions, disposals, development, finance and leasing affairs. The main point of contact is Gemma Perfect in Aberdeen, whose recent work spans the oil and gas, construction, financial services and healthcare sectors; she is supported by Lindsey McDiarmid, who routinely handles residential and rural sites.

Practice head(s):

Paul Jennings


Other key lawyers:

Gemma Perfect; Lindsey McDiarmid


Testimonials

‘Very approachable and easy to deal with. A robust, professional team that really takes the time to understand you.’

‘Very personable – they deal with you and treat you like a person, not a number or a means of making money out of.’

Key clients

Handelsbanken plc


A & L Porter Limited


The Royal Bank of Scotland plc


Greggs Plc


Faro Group


Santander UK plc


SIPP (Pension Trustees) Limited


James F Donald (Aberdeen Cinemas) Limited


City Restoration Project Ltd


Indigo Sun Retail Limited


Web Pharmacy Limited


G.S. Brown Construction Limited


Ayres Wynd Developments Limited


Concept Group Limited


Work highlights


  • Assisted Handelsbanken plc with a number of finance transactions across a mix of industrial and residential developments across Scotland.
  • Advised Greggs Plc on new flagship drive-thru units across Scotland.
  • Advised Porter Pharmacy Group on the acquisition of two pharmacies from a leading national pharmacy group.

Blackadders LLP

Blackadders LLP is equipped to support on the full remit of development, investment, landlord and tenant, acquisition and disposal matters. Dundee-based team head Emma Gray has particular accomplishment in the self-invested personal pension (SIPP) and affordable housing sectors; she is a regular advisor to housebuilders and developers on site acquisitions, assembly matters, and option agreements. Other recommended individuals include Stuart King (Dundee) and Neil Robb (Aberdeen).

Practice head(s):

Emma Gray


Other key lawyers:

Stuart King; Neil Robb


Key clients

Scape Homes Limited


Salvation Army Trading


AG Restaurants Ltd


DS Group


A & J Stephen


Morris Leslie Group


BMI Healthcare


Hays Travel


Curtis Banks


James Hay Pension Trustees


Coffeepots


Work highlights


Ledingham Chalmers LLP

Ledingham Chalmers LLP counts commercial leasing, development, investment, licensing and transactional support among its core strengths, and is a regular advisor to housebuilders, energy and hospitality entities. The practice is co-led from Aberdeen by David Scott, an expert in planning who often handles the lease, sale and purchase of hotels and licensed premises, and John Mitchell, regarded for his knowledge of office, retail and industrial assets in leasing and development matters.

Practice head(s):

John Mitchell; David Scott


Other key lawyers:

Stephen Morrice; Graeme Myles


Testimonials

‘An excellent team who support our housebuilding business through a range of aspects from land purchase, property lettingthrough to house sales completions. The integrated nature of the support and the focus on our business requirements is excellent.’

‘Stand out partners include John Mitchell and David Scott.’

‘Reliable, responsive, timely and efficient in taking forward transactions.’

Key clients

Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP


Plexus Ocean Systems Limited


Streamline Shipping Agencies Limited


Storegga Limited


John Codona Pleasure Fairs Limited


Carlton Rock Limited


AROS (Isle of Skye) Limited


Kirkwood Homes Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Kirkwood Homes Limited on the acquisition of multiple development sites.
  • Advised Streamline Shipping Group, a freight and logistics operator, on a number of leasing and restructuring matters.
  • Acted for Storegga Limited in the lease of new office in Westhill to account for an expansion in the workforce.

Thorntons Law LLP

Active on transactional, landlord and tenant, development, investment and finance matters, Thorntons Law LLP is noted for its expertise across the education, social housing, retail, healthcare and energy sectors. Practice co-head Ewan Miller‘s transactional experience attracts a number of Scottish universities, colleges, pharmacies and dental chains, while fellow co-head Janet McIntyre is reputed for her cross-border capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Ewan Miller; Janet McIntyre


Other key lawyers:

David Milne; Nicola McCafferty; Kyle Moir


Testimonials

‘I find that they have a very knowledgeable and helpful team. Importantly they are able to identify and deal with key issues giving practical advice in a way that is easy to understand.’

‘I have generally dealt with David Milne who I find to be excellent. He takes ownership of transactions and provides practical and relevant advice. I find him to be approachable, helpful and knowledgeable.’

‘Calm, confident and approachable. Always happy to help.’

Key clients

Members of Castle Stuart Golf LLP


University of Stirling


GM Ventures Limited


YORSIPP


Eddy’s Food Station


Scotch Whisky Investments Limited


Bank of Scotland Plc


Cullross Ltd


Teamcard Limited


Bauer Radio Limited


Playfair Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Scotch Whisky investments on the acquisition of a marque site for their proposed global headquarters in Fife.
  • Advising a social housing developer, Cullross Ltd, on the acquisition and subsequent sale of a brownfield development site close to Dundee City Centre.
  • Advised members of Castle Stuart Golf LLP in the sale of members’ interests.

Harper Macleod LLP

Ross Thomson leads the Inverness-based practice at Harper Macleod LLP and is praised for his purchase and sale, leasing, finance and corporate support; he and the team have particular accomplishment in deals encompassing the healthcare, leisure and hospitality sectors, many of which involve a cross-border element.

Practice head(s):

Ross Thomson


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Kerr; Euan Bowie


Testimonials

‘My main contacts are Andrew Kerr, Euan Bowie and Ross Thomson. Their guidance and advice is excellent and they always keep me updated even during difficult transactions where we are having limited feedback from the other side. I always learn something when I’m working with them.’

‘Andrew Kerr, Euan Bowie and Ross Thomson are all incredibly supportive. They help to take the stress out of the difficult aspects of property sales and also offer up ambiguity-free advice.’

‘They respond quickly and deal efficiently with our requests.’

‘Able to respond quickly with reasoned advice.’

Key clients

Scotia Homes Group


MacDonald & Muir Limited


Orion Engineering Services Retirement Benefit Scheme


Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco Limited


L Williamson Limited


QA Fish Limited


Portman Healthcare (Properties) Limited


Forsyths Limited


Nairn Golf Club


Cairngorms Taverns Ltd


Medivet Group


Scottish Natural Heritage


Moray Council


MacKenzie Harris Ltd


Ardersier Port Ltd


Orbital Express Launch Ltd


GDF Commercial Limited


Caley Timber & Construction Services Limited


Shetland Recreational Trust


Shetland Amenity Trust


Wester Ross Fisheries Group


Whiterow Properties Limited


Saltire Business Parks Limited


Inceptum2 Solutions Limited


Myrekirk Developments Limited


G & A Barnie Group


Tulloch Homes Group


Upland Group


James Keiller Property Group


Hazledene Group


Meallmore Limited


Boyd Brothers Limited


Fairways Inverness Limited


Home Farms Partnership


Jacobite Cruises Limited


Parkland Developments Limited


James Evans & Sons Limited


Gael Force Group


Rathven Investments Limited


Independent Vetcare Limited


Handlesbanken


Clydesdale Bank Plc


HSBC Plc


Bank of Scotland Plc


Ocean Kinetics Limited


Compass Building & Construction Services Limited


James Evans & Sons Limited


Whinhurst Properties Limited


Ardent Property Group


Loch Ness Homes Limited


Clyde Munro Dental Group


GF Job Limited


Craigton Foods Limited


Morrison Community Care Group


St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Limited


Tulloch Developments Limited


Highland Home Carers Limited


Craigton Foods Limited


Angus Council


Louisville Properties Limited


Charlestown Holdings SSAS


KW1 (UK) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised James Keiller Group on the acquisition of a new retail park comprising in excess of 70,000 square feet.
  • Advised Clydesdale Bank plc on the refinancing of the Glen Mhor Hotel Group and the funding of their new Brewstillery development.
  • Advised GDF Commercial on an Inverness-based property investment deal with tenants including Halfords.

Lindsays

Lindsays‘ Dundee office is fronted by David Rose, an expert in acquisitions, landlord and tenant matters, renewable energy projects, developments, investments and financings. The team is especially well-regarded within the leisure, hospitality and housebuilding sectors; Darren Leahy is an essential contact within the latter space.

Practice head(s):

David Rose


Other key lawyers:

Darren Leahy


Testimonials

‘We have a long-standing relationship with the practice – a friendly, approachable and pragmatic team.’

‘Darren Leahy is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Nothing is ever a problem or a challenge. He is diligent and always professional.’

Key clients

Persimmon Homes Limited


DJ Laing Limited


Scotia Capital Partners Limited


Kilmac Properties Limited


GL Residential Limited


Greystone Estates (Scotland) Limited


Ground Developments Limited


Agile Energy Recovery (Inverurie) Limited


Invertay Homes


Stork Technical Services UK Limited


Work highlights


Stronachs LLP

Stronachs LLP runs a workload spanning acquisitions, disposals, leasing, finance, development and investment endeavours. The Aberdeen-based team includes Liz Stewart, an expert in development-related land purchases, renewable energy projects and option agreements, and Emma Stephen, who handles title and development transactions for residential property developers, compulsory purchase matters and environmentally contaminated sites.

Practice head(s):

Duncan Campbell


Other key lawyers:

Liz Stewart; Emma Stephen


Key clients

Global Energy Group


Strathdee Properties Limited


Peterson (UK) Limited


Spex Services Limited


Xodus Group Limited


DOF Subsea UK Limited


Morlich Homes Limited


Work highlights