Pan-Highland Local Access Forum Conference

The inaugural pan-Highland conference of Local Access Forums takes place in Inverness tomorrow (Friday). This conference, held at The Highland Council’s headquarters in Glenurquhart Road, brings together 65 representatives of all six Local Access Forums which have been established within The Highland Council area since the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003 came into effect in February 2005, together with colleagues from other agencies and adjoining Access Authorities such as the Cairngorm National Park.

The conference is intended to give Local Access Forum members the opportunity to network and share ‘best practice’. They will also hear about the national picture and wider developments from speakers representing the National Access Forum, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Paths for All Partnership.

Part of the conference is also given over to an open discussion about particular access issues in the Highlands specifically looking at funding requirements, liability, inappropriate signage and ‘wild camping’.

Councillor John Laing, who will chair the conference, said: “Our inaugural event presents an excellent opportunity for Local Access Forum members to meet their counterparts and share experiences, common concerns and to debate how these could be resolved. Outdoor access and walking in particular are hugely important to the tourist industry and economy of the Highlands and to the wellbeing of our residents and its imperative that in planning forward and looking to the future we get this right. We are off to a good start and I am confident that our conference will stand us in great stead.’