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Integrated Land Management Advisory Forum 

Tuesday 12th June 2007, Highlander Hotel, Newtonmore. 


DRAFT MINUTES 

Present 

Will Boyd-Wallis (Secretary and Minutes), Nonie Coulthard, Ian Francis, Lucy Grant, Roger 
Knight, Frank Law, Thomas MacDonnell, Eleanor MacKintosh, Alastair MacLennan (Chair), 
Colin McClean, Archie McNab, Sandra Middleton, Helen McDade, Justin Prigmore, Anne 
Rae, Jeremy Roberts, Campbell Slimon, Eoin Smith, Simon Thorpe, Richard Wallace, 
Jamie Williamson, David Wright. 

1. WELCOME 

Alastair MacLennan thanked everyone for coming. James Davidson, former Trustee and 
founding Chairman of the Newtonmore Community Woodland & Development Trust was 
also thanked for leading the highly informative and enjoyable excursion on The Wildcat 
Trail. 

2. APOLOGIES 

Eric Baird, David Bale, Dick Balharry, Simon Blackett, Duncan Bryden, Iain Hope, Fiona 
Chalmers, Richard Cooke, Bob Kinnaird, Alister Laing, Edward Mountain, Peter Ord, Nicky 
Penford, Colin Sheddon, Adam Streeter-Smith, Kenny Taylor, Vicky Thomson, Jeremy 
Usher-Smith, 

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (6th March 2007) 

The minutes were agreed as a true record. 


Monitor farm: 

A number of farm units run by Alan and Jack Adams have been selected in Ballater, Dinnet 
and Braemar. Concern was expressed that the ‘Monitor farm’ was “cattle only” and didn’t 
include sheep. However it was acknowledged that it is up to the group of farmers taking 
part to decide what farm was selected and no ‘sheep farms’ were forthcoming. 


Action points: 

AP1: Note of CNPA staff sent out to forum members 
This was sent out to the forum on 2 April 2007. 

AP2: Summary of “Future Landscapes” project. 
This work is currently on hold. 


4. DRAFT CORE PATHS PLAN 

Sandra Middleton (Outdoor Access Officer) opened discussions on issues relating to the 
Interim Draft Core Paths Plan and of concern to land managers. CNPA as the Access 
Authority have a statutory duty to produce a core paths plan by February 2008. The 
consultation on the CPP runs until 30th June. The key questions in the consultation relate to 
whether or not the proposed network is sufficient to give reasonable access throughout the 
area, whether or not the right criteria have been used to select the core paths and whether 
or not the right paths have been selected. 

Discussion centred almost entirely on the proposal that the River Spey be included as a 
core path. The Spey has been included on the basis that guidance on producing a core 
paths plan states that the network can include waterways and should provide for all forms of 
recreational access e.g. walking, cycling, horse-riding, canoeing etc. The River Spey is 
also one of the most popular touring rivers in Scotland for canoeists and there was a lot of 
support for inclusion of the Spey in the network during the first round of public engagement 
on the core paths plan. 

A number of points were made about the Spey being designated as an SAC. Concern was 
expressed that the core path designation might lead to a detrimental impact on the features 
of interest – in particular salmon and sea trout. It was strongly felt by some members 
present that the precautionary principle should apply. 

The economic value of fishing was raised as a serious issue to be considered alongside the 
economic value of other river based recreational activities. 

Sandra Middleton highlighted the high level of use of the river already by both anglers and 
canoeists. She suggested that the designation of the river could lever funding and help 
focus efforts on alleviating any management issues that arise, e.g. bank maintenance and 
access/egress points for canoeists. 

There was concern that the designation could lead to misunderstanding by future users of 
the level of safety in the river and increased use by insufficiently skilled canoeists. This in 
turn could lead to additional pressure to improve safety e.g. by removing build up of 
deadwood or cutting back riparian vegetation, both of which have important environmental 
benefits. 

The Spey was highlighted as an example where there is a need for the CNP Core Paths 
Plan to integrate with neighbouring local authority area core path plans. 

In relation to all core paths the issue of liability was raised. Sandra pointed out that the 
CNPA have received legal advice that core paths do not actually change owners’ liability 
and that there is a useful SNH guide available called, ‘A Brief Guide to Occupiers’ Legal 
Liabilities in Scotland in relation to Public Outdoor Access’1. She further indicated the 
important and tested principle of “accepted risk” where those engaging in outdoor activities 
have to accept a certain degree of personal risk. 

5. BIODIVERSITY GRANTS 

Justin Prigmore (LBAP officer) opened discussions on how best to help communities and 
land managers to work together on projects aimed at boosting local wildlife and habitats. 

The Biodiversity Grant Scheme is part of the CNPA Community Investment Programme and 
is funded by CNPA, SNH, Leader, Aberdeenshire, Highland and Angus Councils. The 
scheme offers up to 100% funding for projects costing up to £5000. 

Grant support is particularly directed towards a number of recently established LBAP 
priority species and habitats. 

The grant scheme is currently not open to landowners, but that there may be scope to 
access funding by working with community groups. Comments were received form the 

1 Contact Sandra Middleton on 01479 870513 or sandramiddleton@cairngorms.co.uk if you would like to receive a copy 
of this guidance. 




group regarding the need for CNPA and LBAP to fund landowners directly if we want to 
deliver specific action targeted at our priorities - this was seen as the most effective way to 
deliver our aims. 

Other points made in the discussions: 

.. Members reflected on the pressure of time on individuals in communities 
being one of the constraints to getting projects up and running. 

.. Targeting schools is a good way of getting projects going in communities and 
involving people of all ages. 

.. Raising awareness of what wildlife interest there is in specific areas will help 
to spark enthusiasm and action. 

.. The perspective of several land managers present was that livestock, tourism 
and subsidies are the main sources of income for most. Grant schemes such 
as this are welcome, but are very much on the periphery. Therefore it’s 
important to engage with the communities first and if worthwhile biodiversity 
projects can be easily accommodated on the land then most would be willing 
to allow them to go ahead. 

.. It was suggested that land managers involvement with communities could be 
encouraged through added incentives connected to other forms of public 
funding. 


6. REVIEW OF THE ILMAF and FUTURE CNPA FORUMS 

Will Boyd-Wallis highlighted in particular the very important role that the ILMAF has had in 
influencing the development of National Park Plan and CNPA’s thinking and role in relation 
to the new Scottish Rural Development Plan. The forum has also been very useful in 
gathering a cross section of people together aiding communication between agencies, land 
managers, communities, NGOs etc. CNPA has wished to ensure that all those gathered 
around the table gain something from being there: whether it is a greater collective 
understanding of a variety of issues or taking the opportunity to have some additional 
influence on the future of the National Park. 

Will then went on to explain the future plans for the three CNPA forums. Currently there are 
three CNPA advisory forums: the Visit forum, the Economic and Social Development Forum 
and the ILMAF. The three forums will be adapted to cover the following three themes 
which link with the three themes in the National Park Plan and reflect the Statutory Aims of 
the National Park: 

a) Conserving and enhancing the Park 
b) Living and working in the Park 
c) Enjoying and understanding the Park. 

There will be a meeting on 28th September (to which all of the current members of the three 
forums will be invited) to initiate the new set up. 

Will invited comments on how CNPA and forum members can get the best value out of 
attending forum meetings. The following points were made: 

.. There must be a clear understanding of links to other National Fora and any fora 
being managed by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority. 

 .. It is essential to have good, meaningful, useful and pertinent agenda items. 

.. Site visits are a good idea; they allow for informal discussion and are often 
informative. 

.. It is useful to have a core set of forum members (otherwise you can lose 
commitment) but be open to inviting others to assist with specific issues. 

.. Set meeting dates well in advance. 

.. Good to have a mix of agency, private and public representatives. Good opportunity 
for land managers to challenge agencies. 

.. There is a danger of too many forums, taking up too much voluntary time. Whilst 
they are voluntary, there is a concern that important things may get decided and to 
ensure good decisions are made there is an onus to be there. 

.. Meetings twice a year ok, but should only have meetings if justified. 

.. Content should be focused on delivery of Park Plan. 

.. Updates could be sent electronically before meeting and then be discussed at 
meeting. 

.. There are too many forums for landowners to have an opportunity to have their say. 

.. CNPA provides some very good training for land managers but is just a talking shop 
– no funding, too much bureaucracy. This needs to change. 

.. Need to consult with landowners – what are the issues that are holding them back 
e.g. funding. Future forums should aim to tackle these issues. 

.. CNPA should look at funding difficulties that are stopping things from happening on 
the ground. 

7. STUDY TOUR TO NORWAY 

Eoin Smith gave a very interesting illustrated report on the recent study tour to Norway 
organised by CNPA. There are many similarities in habitat and land management between 
Scotland and Norway, but big differences as well. Hunting is very much a part of the 
culture. There is an almost frenzied hatred of the wolf, which is not mirrored in other 
Scandinavian countries. Other species (now extinct in the UK but present in Norway) are 
not so controversial. Eoin highlighted some problems relating to the European beaver, but 
Norwegians take a practical approach to dealing with any problems that may occasionally 
arise. Beaver may be culled or relocated in Norway. He indicated that subsidies are as 
important in Norway as they are here but apparently even harder to get. 

8. CAIRNGORMS DEER ADVISORY GROUP 

Colin described 3 deer related projects currently being pursued by CNPA with the support 
of the Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group. 

1. The use of deer as an eco- tourism resource. CNPA, Michael Hone, Lynaberack 
Estate and Highland Council Ranger Service were working in partnership to host a 
public deer viewing event based round new born deer calves. Lessons learned from 
this pilot event and future pilots would be used to provide guidance for deer 
managers. 

2. New entrants to stalking. CNPA are working in partnership with the Country Sports 
Tourism Group to produce the outline structure of introductory sessions to deer 
stalking for new audiences. The idea is to have some stalking within the Park 
marketed to young, active audiences currently involved in activities like mountain 
biking and mountaineering. Estates could use the outline structure of an introductory 
session to produce commercial products. 

3. Investigating the socio economic impacts of deer reductions. There are numerous 
deer reductions currently ongoing within the Park driven by both private and public 
sector. These deer reductions generate anecdotes regarding their socio economic 
impacts. These anecdotes in turn generate emotional arguments. A proper 
assessment of the socio economic impacts of deer reductions would enable a 
healthier, more accurate debate. CNPA are discussing ways of investigating these 
impacts with a number of estates within the Park. 


9. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS 

Scottish Rural Development Programme 

Voluntary modulation has been announced and the SRDP has been submitted. A very 
challenging timetable is now in place for deciding on regional priorities. It is anticipated that 
the SRDP will be approved by early November. An update will be appended to these 
minutes. 

END