Ranking tables

Real Estate | UK

Scotland

This section covers all aspects of commercial and residential real estate, including investment transactions, development, corporate structuring, acquisitions, portfolio management, and landlord and tenant matters. Advice to institutional landlords, developers, private landlords, commercial tenants and private tenants is considered here. Firms with strong contentious practices can be found elsewhere, in Real Estate Litigation.

Rankings overview for Lawyers

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Paul HanifordThorntons Law LLP
U

Up and Coming

  1. Aimee GibbonsThorntons Law LLP

All Lawyers profiles

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Paul Haniford
    Thorntons Law LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Senior Statespeople
E

Eminent Practitioners

  1. E
    Alison Newton
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 20 Years Ranked
    Alison Newton is co-head of Addleshaw Goddard's UK and international real estate team. Her clients include private equity investors and corporate occupiers, and she advises both on everything from acquisitions to leases.
  2. Allan Wernham
    E
    Allan Wernham
    CMS
    CMS | Real Estate
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 20 Years Ranked
    Allan Wernham is the CMS managing director for Scotland and has a wealth of experience in real estate. He has a particular focus on the retail sector, advising on investment transactions and developments, including regeneration projects.
  3. E
    Ewan Alexander
    Pinsent Masons LLP
    Pinsent Masons LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 23 Years Ranked
    Ewan Alexander handles a variety of real estate matters including site acquisition and development work regarding large residential and commercial projects. He is also head of the Edinburgh office of Pinsent Masons.
  4. E
    Katharine Hardie
    Pinsent Masons LLP
    Pinsent Masons LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 16 Years Ranked
    Katharine Hardie leads the Scottish property group at Pinsent Masons. She concentrates her practice on commercial development and urban regeneration schemes, assisting with property joint venture agreements and forward funding arrangements.
1

Band 1

  1. Andrew Chalmers
    1
    Andrew Chalmers
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart | Head of Real Estate
    2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years Ranked
    Andrew Chalmers is managing partner of Davidson Chalmers Stewart, as well as head of its commercial real estate practice. He is recognised for his strong track record of handling complex commercial property matters on behalf of developers and investors.
  2. Douglas Lamb
    1
    Douglas Lamb
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    Douglas Lamb is a highly respected property practitioner offering expertise in development and investment matters, including urban regeneration schemes and several other high-profile projects.
  3. Johane Murray
    1
    Johane Murray
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years Ranked
    Johane Murray heads the real estate practice at Brodies and regularly advises major clients on sophisticated real estate transactions. She also assists with asset management in relation to large property portfolios.
  4. Richard Rennie
    1
    Richard Rennie
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 1 | 23 Years Ranked
    Richard Rennie represents leading developers and investors in high-value real estate mandates. He is dual-qualified in both Scotland and England and is able to advise on a variety of complex deals.
2

Band 2

  1. Drew Wallace
    2
    Drew Wallace
    DLA Piper Scotland LLP
    DLA Piper Scotland LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2 | 21 Years Ranked
    Drew Wallace heads the real estate department at DLA Piper in Scotland. He handles a range of work, including acquisitions and disposals, as well as real estate investment transactions and development projects. He also advises on commercial landlord and tenant issues.
  2. Nicholas Naddell
    2
    Nicholas Naddell
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked
    Nicholas Naddell advises high-profile investors and corporate occupiers on a wide variety of commercial real estate deals. He is additionally experienced in assisting clients in the hotels sector.
  3. Paul Carter
    2
    Paul Carter
    CMS
    CMS | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    Paul Carter leads the Real Estate group in Scotland. He regularly handles big-ticket transactions for institutional investors, as well as advising on key development projects in Scotland.
  4. Richard Whyte
    2
    Richard Whyte
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked
    Richard Whyte is particularly active in advising institutional investors from both the UK and abroad, with strong experience in handling property acquisitions and disposals. He is also recommended for property portfolio management.
  5. Robert Forman
    2
    Robert Forman
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2 | 3 Years Ranked
    Robert Forman is head of Burges Salmon's Scottish real estate offering. He acts for clients in a range of sectors including infrastructure and hotels, advising on developments as well as acquisitions and disposals.
  6. Andrew Hall
    Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2
  7. David Mitchell
    Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2
  8. Kenneth Irons
    Gillespie Macandrew LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. 3
    Alastair Cowan
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Alastair Cowan is best known for his expertise in relation to student accommodation, although he is highly capable across the real estate space. He regularly works with private equity and developer clients.
  2. 3
    Brian Hutcheson
    Dentons
    Dentons | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Brian Hutcheson heads the Dentons Scottish real estate practice. He handles high-end development matters, particularly in the student accommodation sector, and also advises clients on the management of large property portfolios.
  3. Colin Morrison
    3
    Colin Morrison
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked
    Colin Morrison is frequently enlisted by clients in the retail, hotel and leisure sectors to guide them through a range of complex real estate transactions.
  4. Darina Kerr
    3
    Darina Kerr
    CMS
    CMS | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Darina Kerr advises clients on significant property projects. She specialises in all aspects of commercial property transactions such as acquisitions, disposals, development and asset management.
  5. David Stewart
    3
    David Stewart
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    David Stewart frequently acts on behalf of international investors in relation to complex commercial property transactions. His practice also takes in big-ticket development projects.
  6. Gavin Maclean
    3
    Gavin Maclean
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Gavin Maclean has great depth of experience acting on commercial real estate matters. He regularly assists a broad range of clients including major retailers, corporate occupiers and developers.
  7. James Roscoe
    3
    James Roscoe
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 23 Years Ranked
    James Roscoe primarily focuses on the real estate investment market, advising clients on strategic acquisitions and disposals. He also handles development work and high-value pre-lets for well-known corporate occupiers.
  8. John Meehan
    3
    John Meehan
    Harper Macleod LLP
    Harper Macleod LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 14 Years Ranked
    John Meehan heads Harper Macleod's real estate department. He handles a broad range of complex property work, including land and investment transactions, alongside refinancing and property portfolio matters.
  9. 3
    Miles Ede
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years Ranked
    Miles Ede has considerable experience handling development and investment matters and frequently advises investors on the management of their property portfolios. He has standout expertise in the telecoms sector.
  10. Paul Jennings
    3
    Paul Jennings
    Aberdein Considine
    Aberdein Considine | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked
    Paul Jennings is based in Glasgow and leads the firm's Scottish commercial real estate team. He advises on all manner of real estate transactions and developments for a client base that includes national retailers, developers, landowners and local authorities.
  11. Robin Mitchell
    3
    Robin Mitchell
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Shoosmiths LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Robin Mitchell is recommended for his work on behalf of retail occupiers, regularly advising them on new and existing leases. He also works on planning and restructuring matters.
  12. 3
    Russell Munro
    Pinsent Masons LLP
    Pinsent Masons LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Russell Munro frequently represents property investors in acquisitions and disposals of key assets as well as portfolio management. He also advises on development matters, with particular expertise in the private rental sector.
  13. Scott Peterkin
    3
    Scott Peterkin
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Scott Peterkin is head of Burness Paull's real estate practice. He is experienced in handling major property developments, particularly residential and housing-led mixed-use schemes.
  14. Simon Etchells
    3
    Simon Etchells
    gunnercooke
    gunnercooke | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3 | 22 Years Ranked
    Simon Etchells of gunnercooke has a broad real estate practice that includes investment portfolio sales, industrial regeneration projects and development work in the leisure sector. He is dual-qualified in Scotland and in England and Wales.
  15. Scott Ritchie
    Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Allan Cairns
    4
    Allan Cairns
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Allan Cairns acts for a broad range of clients and has a particular focus on investment and development work. He represents domestic and international investors in high-profile investment deals.
  2. Bruce Lancaster
    4
    Bruce Lancaster
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Bruce Lancaster advises property developers, private house builders and property investors on complex real estate transactions.
  3. Chris McDaid
    4
    Chris McDaid
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Chris McDaid acts for a range of clients acquiring and disposing of properties in the industrial, office and retail sectors. He is also enlisted by clients for commercial leasing matters.
  4. Chris McLeish
    4
    Chris McLeish
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    Chris McLeish is an experienced practitioner with substantial knowledge of commercial property investment, including acquisitions and development financings.
  5. Emma Gray
    4
    Emma Gray
    Blackadders LLP
    Blackadders LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    Emma Gray leads the commercial property practice at Blackadders. She is well versed in acquisitions and disposals as well as development transactions.
  6. Janette Speed
    4
    Janette Speed
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Shoosmiths LLP | Head of Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years Ranked
    Janette Speed has a particular focus on residential development, advising a number of national house builders as well as large landowners. She also has experience advising on matters in the student accommodation and social housing spaces.
  7. Kelsey Gibson
    4
    Kelsey Gibson
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years Ranked
    Kelsey Gibson is noted for her handling of commercial and residential development projects, as well as sophisticated landlord and tenant work. Her clients include major retailers and other large corporate occupiers.
  8. Richard Goodfellow
    4
    Richard Goodfellow
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 20 Years Ranked
    Richard Goodfellow assists residential and commercial property developers, in addition to investors and corporate occupiers. He is particularly knowledgeable with regard to the housebuilding sector.
  9. Scott Buchan
    4
    Scott Buchan
    BTO Solicitors LLP
    BTO Solicitors LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    Scott Buchan excels in a variety of commercial property work, including acquisitions and disposals. His clients include landowners, international developers, retail companies and property investors.
  10. Tracey Menzies
    4
    Tracey Menzies
    Brodies LLP
    Brodies LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    Tracey Menzies moves up in the rankings for the positive feedback she has received on her work. She offers clients the benefit of her significant experience in property law. She advises developers and landowners on land acquisition and development transactions in both the commercial and residential real estate markets.
  11. Andrew McCowan
    TLT LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  12. Anne McGregor
    Anderson Strathern | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  13. David Ratter
    DWF | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  14. Derek Nash
    Lindsays | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  15. Howard Beach
    TLT LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  16. Hugo Allan
    Thorntons Law LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  17. Kenneth Gray
    Lindsays | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  18. Paul Mason
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
  19. Ruth Maclean
    Anderson Strathern | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. 5
    David Orr
    Aberdein Considine
    Aberdein Considine | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    David Orr has property finance and insolvency acumen. He is active on the financial side of matters and is frequently involved in development, market security, securing finance and complex lease negotiations.
  2. John Strachan
    5
    John Strachan
    Burness Paull
    Burness Paull | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    John Strachan is experienced in commercial real estate investment, including acquisitions and disposals. He also demonstrates strength in development matters.
  3. 5
    Kirsty Nicholson
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Kirsty Nicholson has particularly extensive knowledge in the commercial real estate space. She is often involved in matters surrounding build to rent, sales, structuring and due diligence.
  4. Michael Ramsay
    5
    Michael Ramsay
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    As head of real estate at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, Michael Ramsay is a valued adviser to clients, with notable strength in transactional mandates, acting for both buyers and sellers. He is also experienced in handling real estate matters arising after M&A deals, including title and lease issues.
  5. Nicola Scott
    5
    Nicola Scott
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Nicola Scott heads Davidson Chalmers Stewart's Real Estate team. She handles a variety of real estate transactions, including investment acquisition and sales, financing and commercial leasing for both landlord and tenant. She assists clients from a range of sectors including retail, offices, student accommodation and renewable energy.
  6. Caroline Shand
    Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5
  7. Steven Dick
    Eversheds Sutherland | Real Estate
    2025 | Band 5
U

Up and Coming

  1. Aimee Gibbons
    Thorntons Law LLP | Real Estate
    2025 | Up and Coming

Associates to watch

  1. Lizzy Enayati
    Lizzy Enayati
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart
    Davidson Chalmers Stewart | Real Estate
    2025 | Associates to watch | 1 Years Ranked
    Lizzy Enayati is a director in the team. She has strong experience in commercial property transactions, including acquisitions, sales and lease negotiations.
  2. Sarah Jack
    Sarah Jack
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts
    Morton Fraser MacRoberts | Real Estate
    2025 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked
    Sarah Jack is an associate who assists on all manner of real estate transactions and development matters. Her client base includes property investors, landlords, tenants and national retailers.
  3. Alisdair Jamieson
    Eversheds Sutherland | Real Estate
    2025 | Associates to watch