CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS 


Why do we have a Local Outdoor Access Forum? 

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has a statutory duty under the Land Reform 
(Scotland ) Act 2003 to establish a least one Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) in 
its area.* 

* The Cairngorms National Park area includes those parts of the local authority areas 
that fall within the Park boundary. Each neighbouring local authority (Aberdeenshire, 
Highland, Moray and Angus) has its own LOAF to deal with outdoor access in its 
area, but these do not cover the area that falls within the Park boundary. 


Who is on the Forum? 

The Forum comprises of 21 members drawn from four different stakeholder groups: 

• Land owners and land managers - (5 places) 

• Recreational users - (5 places) 

• Communities - (7 places) 

• Public Agencies - Scottish Natural Heritage; Forestry Commission Scotland, 
and Sportscotland (3 places) 

• Link between CNPA Board and LOAF (1 place) 


Appointments to the first three stakeholder groups are made on the basis of a written 
application. Anybody can apply. Public agencies nominate their representatives to 
the Forum. Meetings are open to the public to attend as observers. 



What is the role of the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum? 

The Forum is an advisory body to the Cairngorms National Park Authority, providing 
advice on: 

• The Outdoor Access Strategy for the National Park 

• The Core Path Plan for the National Park 

• Promoting awareness and understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code 

• Upholding access rights 

• Resolving difficult outdoor access issues 

• Any other outdoor access work that the Park Authority undertakes 



What sort of person are we looking for? 

Potential Forum members will need to demonstrate the following: 

1. A good understanding of outdoor access generally. Knowledge of outdoor access 
rights and responsibilities, and a strong commitment to making them work is highly 
desirable. 

2. Knowledge, skills and experience in any of the following areas: 

• Land management - e.g. estate management, farming, crofting, deer 
management, riparian management, forestry management, etc. 

• Recreation - e.g. water users, cycling, horse-riding, walking, mountain sports, 
etc. 

• Community - e.g. path development, community health, all-abilities access, 
nature conservation, environmental issues, business, tourism, youth, 
education, etc. 

4. Willingness to consider outdoor access from both a local perspective, as part of a 
Park-wide perspective and within the national context. 

5. Willingness to work with others constructively with a view to building consensus. 

6. Willingness to communicate with other interested individuals and groups outwith 
the Forum. 



How many meetings of the Forum are there? 

There are approximately 5 meetings a year (held in the late afternoon or evening) 
one of which is a public event, the Annual Gathering. Meetings during the summer 
are preceded by a ½ day training event or site visit. Venues rotate throughout the 
Park and members are expected to make efforts to attend all meetings, not only 
those in their own area. 


Will I be paid as a member of the Forum? 

As volunteers, members of the Forum will be entitled to claim reasonable expenses 
to support their attendance at Forum meetings. This may include travel expenses 
plus the cost of childcare or a personal carer as appropriate. 


How long will I be a member for? 

Members will be appointed for 3 years initially. A member may remain on the Forum 
for up to six years. 


How are members chosen? 

The selection is undertaken by a small panel of Park Authority staff, a Board member 
and the Convenor for the Forum. Selections are made on the basis of written 
applications. 


When does my application need to be in by? 

The closing date for applications is Friday 9 March 2007. You will be notified as 
soon as possible after this date whether you have been successful or not. 


Where can I get further information? 

For further information on the outdoor access legislation and the Scottish Outdoor 
Access Code, log on to http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com 

Fran Pothecary, 
Access Officer, 
CNPA 
01479 870533 or 
franpothecary@cairngorms.co.uk