Local access forum smoothes the path to romance
A local access forum is hoping to smooth the path to healthy hearts and romance for people in the Inverness and Nairn area in the run up to Valentine’s Day.
Information on how to access and enjoy visits to the countryside will be available this weekend (Saturday 10th February) from The Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum at an information stand in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness.
Stewart Eastaugh, Highland Council’s Access Officer for Inverness and Nairn said: “As we approach Valentine’s Day, for many of us our thoughts are on our hearts and we will be providing advice on how to keep a healthy heart by getting outdoors. We will be joined by “Paths to Health” representatives who can advise on the health aspects of walking. The event is being supported by Scottish Natural Heritage who can help us to enjoy the outdoors.”
Established by The Highland Council, the Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum advises the Council on access matters arising in the area. The Forum has fifteen members representing access users, land managers, communities and agencies and meets locally several times a year.
Members of the Forum will be available to give advice and information about rights of responsible access, and how best to enjoy visits and keep fit while visiting the countryside.
People interested in speaking to the Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum will find them on the upper floor of the Eastgate Centre opposite Waterstones Bookshop from 9am till 6pm.
John Duberley of Scotways, Chairman of the Local Access Forum, said: “This new forum is very conscious of how much it can offer those looking to enjoy and manage access to the outdoors. Our members represent a wealth of experience and commitment in the field and are sure to become an indispensable source of expertise and objective advice.”
Stewart Eastaugh, Highland Council’s Access Officer for Inverness and Nairn, is the first point of contact for access matters. He then reports relevant issues to the forum. To date the forum has contributed to the Highland Access Strategy, debated issues concerning locked gates and other barriers, and is involved in consultation on the Core Paths Plan.
Further information on Local Access Forums can be found on The Highland Council’s website or by contacting Stewart Eastaugh on tel: 01463 702186.
Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum
Section 25 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 placed a duty on each local authority to establish at least one local access forum for its area. The Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum also covers the Badenoch and Strathspey Area (excluding the Cairngorm National Park area).
The Highland Council has established 6 Local Access Forums to advise the Council on access issues. The Forums cover the following areas: Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh, Lochaber, and Inverness and Nairn (excluding the Cairngorm National Park area). The functions of a forum are to provide advice when requested to do so by the local authority and to provide assistance in any dispute resolution in relation to the exercise of access rights, the delineation and existence of rights of way and the drawing up of core paths plans.
Paths to Health
Paths to Health was established in 2001 to contribute to health improvement in Scotland through the promotion of walking for health and now forms a key delivery mechanism for Scotland’s Physical Activity Strategy - Let’s Make Scotland More Active.
Paths to Health delivers walking for health under 4 main themes, Community, Health care, Workplace and National co-ordination. Paths to Health receives support from the Scottish Executive Health Department, Big Lottery Fund, British Heart Foundation, NHS Health Scotland, Centre for Healthy Working Lives and Scottish Natural Heritage.