Sport and leisure

The 2018 Scottish Rural Parliament will take place in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway on 14th– 16th November. If you live in or are passionate about rural areas in Scotland, you can attend to learn and make your voice heard. This year's theme is "Taking Action".

The event brings together people from rural communities with decision-makers, for three days of celebration and exploration. Participants examine a wide-range of issues affecting rural communities and make recommendations for change.

Once every two years, thousands of athletes from across the globe come together to compete in the NatWest International Island Games.

It has recently been announced that Orkney will be the first Scottish Island to host the Island Games since the event was last held in Shetland in 2005. 

The world's first competition of Snow Rowing has been held in Savo, Finland.

Snow rowing is based on a new regional invention, the snow rowing machine. The machine combines traditional rowing boat oars and skis mounted on a device on which you can sit on while rowing across snow or ice. The machine is being further developed with the aid of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park prepares to welcome campers as the second season of byelaws comes into effect.

The seasonal camping management byelaws come into effect on 1 March 2018 and cover certain parts of the National Park between March and September.

Paths for All's Community Active Travel Grants scheme is now open for applications.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to communities in Scotland to develop, deliver and promote their own community-led active travel projects. Projects must make it easier for people to walk and cycle when making short everyday journeys.

Priority will be given to projects that:

You can now view five paths within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park on Google Maps.

Some of the most popular paths in the National Park have been filmed by staff and volunteers using equipment from Google so that members of the public can see the terrain before visiting.

The paths which feature on the site are:

The Annual Implementation Report (AIR) of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) has been published.

Covering the first three years of the 2014-2020 Programme, the full report and Summary for Citizens can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.