Agendas, reports and minutes

Minute of the Meeting of Skye and Lochalsh Local Access Forum held in Tigh Na Sgire, Park Lane, Portree, on Friday 6 September 2013 at 2.00pm.

Present:

Mr Brian Linington, Mr Peter Elford, Mr Jim Towers and Mr John Gordon.

Also in attendance:

Mr Alaisdair H Mackenzie, Legal Manager, Highland Council (Clerk)
Mr Donald Kennedy, Access Officer, Highland Council
Mr George Duff, Countryside Ranger and Long Distance Route Manager, Highland Council
Mr John Phillips, Senior Countryside Ranger, Highland Council
Mr Rob Ware, Secretary, Sleat Community Council
Ms Nicola Rust, Secretary, Skye and Lochalsh Disabled Ramblers

(In the Chair – Mr Brian Linington)

1.  Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

2.  Confirmation of Minute

The minute of the meeting of the Local Access Forum held on 22 February 2013, a copy of which had been circulated, was approved.

3.  Highland Core Path Implementation Programme Update

The Access Officer made a presentation to the Forum as follows:

HCPIP Programme of Works Progress

Phase I (2010-11)

Idrigill, Uig £ 2,160.00
Uig Woodland £ 1,982.00
Rubha Hunish £15,282.00

Phase 2 (2011-12)

Elgol Circular £9,201.80
Inverinate Forest £9,348.00
Struan Link £2,273.25
Kyleakin Salt £2,247.30
Marsh Path

Phase 3 (2012-13)

Healaval Forest Dunvegan £7,764.00
Edinbane to Greshornish £3,892.00
Corran ROW, Glenelg £6,947.00
Talisker to Fiskavaig ROW £7,564.00
HCPIP 1 closed down
Balmaqueen Coastal £4,613.00
Earlish to Cuidrach ROW £3,979.00

The Access Officer described the Balmacqueen Coastal Path, its location and showed pictures of the existing route. Work on the Balmacqueen Coastal Path had started two months ago. This path was part of the “Skye Trail” Long Distance Route. It should be noted that although the “Skye Trail” includes core paths it is not a core path in its own right and more a wilderness experience.

It was hoped to start work within the next couple of weeks on the Earlish to Cuidreach Right of Way.

The Access Officer advised that there was an outside chance of adding another project for Skye and Lochalsh but it was considered unlikely as there might not be enough time to get approval from Leader.

HCPIP – Programme of Works Progress - Signage

Of 122 core path routes, 62 were already signed;
Under HCPIP 1, 29 have been signed;
17 routes were due to be signed under HCPIP 2.

HCPIP Programme of Works Progress – Leaflets

Paths around Dunvegan – the first proof from the designer is with the Access Officer and the Community Council;

Paths around Sleat – awaiting first proof from the designer;

Corran Information Panel – awaiting first proof from the designer.

The Forum noted the position.

Action by: DK

4. Local Access Issues

There had been circulated Report No. SLLAF-02-13 by the Access Officer detailing local access issues in Skye and Lochalsh as follows:-

SL24.02/01 Public Access, Ord

Background

Since buying Ord House in 2011, the current owners had disputed the right of members of the public to be on a short linking path within their grounds with measures to discourage access deployed at various times since then. At present “private” signs are covered up and gates unlocked. However, local residents have complained that the path has become overgrown and very difficult to negotiate and asked the Access Officer to enquire about the possibility of voluntary vegetation clearance work. The Landowner agreed to clearance work being carried out but only by Highland Council employees and suggested the overgrown state of the path was an indication of how little it was used.

Current Status

The Access Officer and a colleague from Highland Council Ranger Service carried out vegetation clearance over the period of a morning as a “one off” event to ascertain if high usage, resulting from improved conditions underfoot and better path definition, would result in vegetation being kept down. The success or otherwise of these measures will be reviewed during the spring/summer of 2014.

The Forum noted the position.

Action by: DK

SL03.07/02 Wild Camping, Irishman’s Point, Broadford

BackgroundThe Access Officer had received a complaint from a member of the public who had intended wild camping at Irishman’s Point near Broadford after a day of sea kayaking. The Landowner was of the opinion that there was not a right to wild camp and told them to move on.

Current Status

The Access Officer phoned the Landowner to ascertain his views on the incident. He explained that there had been instances of campers on his land starting fires, posing a danger to themselves and surrounding flora and fauna. There was also a litter problem.

The Access Officer explained the rights and responsibilities of wild camping under the current access legislation.

The Forum noted the position.

Action by: DK

SL16.08 Public access to Cave of Gold, BorneskitaigBackgroundThe Access Officer had received a complaint from a member of the public regarding signs deterring public access to the Borneskitaig headland, also known as the Cave of Gold Walk.

Current Status

The Access Officer contacted the Land Manager who agreed to remove the signs. Replacement compliant signage, explaining the management issues, was offered to the Land Manager but there has been no further progress regarding this at the time of the Report.

The Forum noted the position.

Action by: DK

5. AOCB

5.1 Membership

The Clerk advised that Mr David Glover had resigned from the Forum. Mr Brian Linnington announced that he would be resigning as he was moving down south, probably by the end of the year. However, he agreed to remain as Chairman until then.

The Access Officer announced that Mr A MacAskill and Ms Nicola Rust had been appointed to the Forum.

Mr Rob Ware intimated that he would be interested in joining the Forum and would apply.

The Forum noted the position.

Action by: DK

5.2 Storr Woodlands Footpath

The Access Officer was due to have discussions about the state of this footpath and the concerns of the Skye Mountain Rescue Team regarding people with inappropriate dress using the path. The Chairman would attend any meeting if available.

Action by: DK/BL

5.3 Fairy Pools

Mr J Towers advised that at a recent Community Council meeting concerns had been expressed regarding the number of visitors to the Fairy Pools. Some visitors did not know where they were and there was no signage. There was also a lack of carparking.

The Forum noted that the Access Officer would look into this issue.

Action by: DK

5.4 Head of Environment and Development

The Forum noted that Mr Geoff Robson had been replaced by Mr George Hamilton.

5.5 Joint Meeting – NAF/LAFS

Mr G Duff asked Forum Members who wished to attend the forthcoming meeting to contact him. Mr G Duff would replace Mr G Robson on the NAF and would provide feedback to the Forum.

6.  Date of Next Meeting

The Forum agreed that the next Meeting be held in Portree in February 2014 on a date to be agreed by the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman. (Subsequently fixed for 2.00pm on 28 February 2014 in the Meeting Room, Tigh Na Sgire, Park Lane, Portree.)

Action by: AHM

The meeting closed at 1525 hrs.