Community development

Views are being sought on the future direction of the Cairngorm and Glenmore area of the Cairngorms National Park.

A 14-week public consultation has launched with the aim of developing a long-term strategy for the management of the publicly-owned land in this area.

Using visitor studies to inform better visitor experiences

Your time and money are in short supply! Use your resources effectively by understanding what your visitors really want.

This event will look at ways you can use visitor studies to provide better visitor experiences.

The event will address the best use of visitor studies from large to small scale projects.

The Pairc Trust, a community body in South-East Lewis, has recently (4 December) completed the purchase of the Pairc Estate on behalf of the community of some 400 crofters and residents.

The Pairc Trust have been trying to bring the 28,000 acre estate into community ownership since 2003. 

The purchase has now been made on the basis of a voluntary transfer by the landlord, after a long history involving several ballots and applications by Pairc Trust to the Scottish Government under Part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. 

Norman MacAskill, North Regional Development Manager at Lead Scotland and former director of Scottish Rural Action, shares his experiences of the European Rural Parliament held recently in Scharding, Upper Austria. We'll have more from other attendees from Scotland over the next couple of weeks.

What was the event about and why did you attend?

Derek Harper, Chair of the local liaison group for the 2016 Scottish Rural Parliament event was part of the Scottish delegation to the European Rural Parliament (ERP) event held in Schärding, Austria last month. Here, he shares his reflections on the event. We'll have more from other attendees from Scotland over the next couple of weeks.

What was the event about and why did you attend?

A minibus trial funded by Muirhall Energy is investing in the need to provide public transport for its rural community.

The trial, which has been organised by the Woolfords, Auchengray & Tarbrax Improvement Foundation (WAT IF?) and run by Salmonds Coaches, will run until 19 December and    is fully funded by Muirhall Windfarm Extension.

Debbie Bridges, Community Officer for Muirhall Energy said:

The Tesco Local Community Scheme for community greenspace projects is now open for applications until 11 December 2015.

The money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores will be used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve greenspaces in communities across Scotland, England and Wales. The grant scheme is administered by Groundwork, working with greenspace scotland to deliver the programme in Scotland.

Brechin, Angus has been announced as the location for the second Scottish Rural Parliament.

Around 400 people are expected to gather in Brechin for the event on 6-8 October 2016 to develop and agree an action plan for rural Scotland as well as celebrating the strengths and achievements of rural communities.

Fruit Futures Festive Fun

An evening celebrating all things fruitful this Christmas. A great way to meet other orchard related projects in your area as well as an opportunity to treat yourself and volunteers to mulled apple juice, apple related Christmas crafts and festive fruity food.

It would be wonderful if everyone could please bring along some food to share and discuss Christmas recipes to make with your fruit. If you are unable to we would still love you to come of course!

To book please email emma@forthenvironmentlink.org.

Moray LEADER is now recruiting for Local Action Group members for the 2014-2020 programme.

Moray has been approved for funding to operate the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme, with European Union and Scottish Government funding of over £3.4 million. The programme will be overseen by a Local Action Group (LAG) for which volunteers are now being recruited.

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