The Unlocking Sasines project helps to indicate the likely ownership of areas not on the land register.
Indicative sasines is a way of showing indicative ownership and boundaries of Sasine titles.
Examination of sasine search sheets is still necessary to confirm ownership.
What is Unlocking Sasines
In many cases, land or property must change hands before RoS can move it from the sasines register to the land register. Lots of land and property that is still in sasines does not change hands very often. For example, large rural estates.
We used spatial data to help “unlock” the historic information in the sasine register. This allows us to visually represent the sasine register for the first time making it more helpful and accessible.
This helps us answer the question ‘Who owns Scotland?’ and provides many useful insights in working towards:
What it is
Indicative sasines is a:
- way of showing indicative ownership and boundaries of sasines titles
- visual representation of sasines registered titles
- way of providing information to help in answering ‘who owns Scotland?’
- first step to establishing ownership which is not yet shown on the land register
What it is not
Indicative sasines is not a:
- property register
- means to confirm ownership and boundaries with a hundred percent accuracy
- comprehensive display of all sasines titles
Before using the indicative sasines layer
To confirm ownership using the indicative sasines layer, knowledge and interpretation of sasine search sheets is necessary. If you do not have this knowledge a search can be carried out by the Property Information Team for a fee.
Accessing the layer
The new indicative layer can be found alongside our other layers on ScotLIS business.
Confidence levels
A confidence level is a way of grading the polygons used, based on information we’ve examined.
The confidence levels range from giving a direct answer on ownership, to a first step or pointer towards establishing ownership in the sasine register.
There are three different confidence levels assigned to the polygons as noted by the distinct colours and description. The green polygons being the most confident, the next level of confidence being amber and lastly red.
There is frequently a deed on the search sheet stated that includes a plan. The plan contains the polygons displayed and no parts have subsequently been removed, apart from those that have moved over to the land register.
There is frequently a deed on the search sheet stated that includes a plan. The plan contains the polygons displayed but parts have subsequently been removed from the search sheet. These removals may need to be taken into consideration when establishing the current extent of the title. This will require an understanding of the sasine register.
We have not seen a plan that matches the polygon area on the search sheet. We have multiple pieces of evidence to suggest that area is or was associated to the search sheet number(s) displayed. Any removals will need to be taken into consideration when establishing the current extent of the title. This will require an understanding of the sasine register.
It’s important to note that even with the lower confidence red polygons these may return direct answers on ownership, but as we have only a description to go on, the exact extent of the title is less sure.
Collaboration
This was all made possible by working in partnership with individuals, public bodies and local authorities who shared their data with us. From this starting point we cross referenced and validated the data provided with information we hold in the Sasine Register. This approach provided us with indicative ownership covering 35.4% of Scotland’s land mass.
For their contribution, special thanks go to:
- North Ayrshire Council
- Andy Wightman
- Rural Payment and Inspections Division
Get in touch
If you would like further information, contact the team at customer.services@ros.gov.uk