Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum - February 2024

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) meeting held on 13 September 2023. Discussions included updates on the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, the development of quiet areas for nature, and the Caper dog season. The forum also received updates on path work near Loch Insh and discussed an upcoming access officers meeting, the Dalwhinnie railway crossing, and ski touring access. The next meeting is scheduled for January or February 2024.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access meeting held on 21 February 2024 via Teams. The agenda includes welcome and introductions, approval of the minutes from the last meeting, a fire management consultation, a review and refresh, casework, an update, any other competent business, and setting the date for the next meeting. The Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) is invited to advise on questions 1, 2, and 4 of the Fire Management Consultation paper. The document also provides the Microsoft Teams meeting details, including the meeting ID and passcode.

This document contains information about a fire management consultation being conducted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority from 8 February to 17 April 2024. The consultation explores potential byelaws to manage fire risk, which is increasing in Scotland due to climate change, and aims to gather public opinions to inform the Park Authority's long-term decisions. The document outlines three options: enhanced communication and education, a high fire risk byelaw, and a year-round byelaw, detailing the issues to consider and investments needed for each. It also includes background information on current fire management approaches, legislation, fire statistics within the National Park, and examples from other countries, plus appendices with draft byelaws for consideration.

This document contains information about reviewing and refreshing the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF). The LOAF has been operational for 19 years, assisting the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) with policies, plans, and addressing access issues. The Park Authority and the current convener want to refresh the LOAF, focusing on relevant matters, providing opportunities for new members, and ensuring member contributions. They aim to recruit new members in the spring of 2024, up to a maximum of 15, and are inviting current members to consider their term of membership. The objectives and functions of the LOAF are to act as the local access forum for the Cairngorms National Park, advise the Park Authority, promote responsible access, and offer advice on resolving outdoor access disputes. The LOAF will hold at least two meetings per year, both online and at various locations across the National Park.

This document contains an update from the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum, dated 7 February 2024, regarding casework volumes and types from 2019 to 2023. The purpose of the update is to inform members about casework handling, including monthly breakdowns and key types by volume, and to consider findings, trends, and relevant issues. The National Park Authority handles duties related to providing advice, responding to inquiries, and addressing complaints about access rights. Casework is allocated between two Outdoor Access Officers, with administrative support. Monitoring has been modified to focus on statutory consultations and the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The record shows an increase in Section 14 casework (obstructions to access rights) with 66 cases in 2023. Recent notable cases include issues at Curr Wood and Lude Estate.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum's work. A Speyside Way surface upgrade is in progress, and a new section of path near Kincraig is now complete. The recreation and access team has also been inspecting core paths to assess the network and address storm damage. Planning permission has been granted for the middle section of the Braemar to Keiloch Path, and community path leaflets are being updated. The National Access Forum discussed wildlife disturbance and campfire messaging. A "dog friendly Cairngorms" project is being developed, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority has been awarded £10.7 million to deliver Cairngorms 2030, a programme with 20 long-term projects focused on nature restoration, sustainable transport, community development, and health, with the goal of making the Cairngorms the UK's first net zero national park.