Farmers drive through city to protest tax changes

The protestors travelled from near Inverurie to Aberdeen beach

Hundreds of farmers have driven their tractors through Aberdeen to protest against the UK Government's inheritance tax plans.

The protestors travelled from Thainstone Mart near Inverurie to Aberdeen beach to highlight what they say is the damaging impact the changes will have on the rural sector.

They oppose UK government plans to tax inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m at 20% - half the usual rate - from April 2026.

The government has said the change was only expected to affect about 2,000 estates each year and its commitment to farmers "remains steadfast".

Duncan Wight said the public supports the protests

Duncan Wight, who farms at Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, said the changes were "soul destroying" and could "ruin lives".

The 61-year-old, who is a third generation farmer, said the protest helped highlight the issue and that the general public supported them.

He added: "It has been an emotional time really, this is what we need to do, just keep pushing on and see this to the bitter end.

"We are very angry because we have worked hard all our lives and never really been shown appreciation, and then the government have done what they have done.

"Everybody has just had enough, it is just not fair."

The tax changes will be implemented from April 2026

From 6 April 2026, the full 100% relief from inheritance tax will be restricted to the first £1m of combined agricultural and business property.

Landowners over this would pay inheritance tax at a rate of 20%, rather than the standard inheritance tax rate of 40%.

There have been different claims about how many farms will be affected.

These vary from as many as 70,000 overall to as few as 500 per year.

The UK Government said the the increase is necessary to fund improvements to public services and will not affect most farms.