REGIONAL REPORTS
HIGHLAND REGION Regional Manager: Drew McFarlane-Slack
ROUND-UP
GOOSE MANAGEMENT I met with Dr Chris Wernham of the British Trust for Ornithology at Stirling University to give evidence following our contribution to the consultation on Goose Management Policy in Scotland. Many thanks to Janice Cassidy and members who contributed to our response.
NORTH HUNT
North Hunt is a three-year EU project developed with support from the Northern Periphery Programme. It began in May 2008 and will run until December this year. It is a public/private
partnership of 10 organisations from Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Scotland and Canada, managed by the University of Helsinki. The aim is to help support the development of sustainable hunting tourism in Northern Europe by researching existing management practices across the partner countries and developing modern sustainable
management tools to allow the hunting culture to survive. Members attending included Alasdair Laing, Richard Cooke, John Forbes-Leith and David Kinnear of Alvie and Dalraddy.
NETWORKING Luke Borwick and I met with Andrew Montgomery of Argyll Estates in Inveraray and I met with Baron Dominique Collinet at Glencreran and Paul Nicoll of Bell Ingram in Oban. It is clear there may be benefits for both members and the Association if we can set up regular opportunities for updating each other on our activities and for peer-to-peer networking.
Potential for catastrophe
On my way back to Ballachulish after attending a meeting in Keith, I met the Highland Committee Chairman watching the local Fire and Rescue team tackling a blaze by the side of the A86 near Ardverikie. Low rainfall in the west this year has increased the amount of fuel on the land and the danger of wildfire. Some unconcerned
traveller had left a fire burning and the inevitable happened. Without a quick response, the spread of such a fire could be catastrophic. The SRPBA is working with the Scottish Wildfire Group to highlight the potential effects to our environment that an increased incidence of wildfire can bring. If it is an issue you are interested in, please let me know.
BALNAGOWN ESTATES The new factor at Balnagown Estates welcomed your Regional Manager just before Easter. Nick Mellish took over recently and explained the business priorities of the estates and outlined some of the development objectives he is setting with the owners.
RURAL FORUM EVENT About 60 participants at the Rural Forum Event in Oban at Corran Halls heard an update on SRDP and Leader in the Argyll area, before breaking into workshop groups with the aim of advising both programmes of the key priorities for communities, agencies and business interests. Lunch was provided by Bumble of Achnabreck Farm in Lochgilphead and a number of stakeholder stalls and tables, including the SRPBA, made for an interesting and informative day.
Seaview, Lettermore, Ballachulish PH49 4JD 01855 811118 / 07918 776235 (mobile)
highlandregion@srpba.com
FOOD FORLIFE I attended a Food for Life seminar at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore, organised by the Cairngorm National Park’s Economic Development Officer Ruathy Donald in partnership with Dr Eleanor Logan of the Soil Association in Scotland. Ruathy attended the SRPBA’s
recent Food and Drink Demo Day at Lochter and we are hoping to work together to help drive forward the provision and availability of local produce in the Park.
This is in line with the discussions between CNPA and SRPBA Chief Executives Jane Hope and Douglas McAdam. Some 40 participants attended and identified some of the opportunities ahead. These include setting up a Food Forum for the Park, looking at gaps in produce available in the Park and distribution networks for small producers.
David Young of the Cross
Restaurant in Kingussie and Calum Buchanan of Buchanan Foods offered a valuable insight into two elements of the food chain in the Park.
DEER ACTION PLAN The Deer Commission for Scotland is in the process of drafting the action plan accompanying “Wild Deer, A National Approach”.
The SRPBA has identified two areas where we can give practical assistance in delivering their plan. Firstly, in terms of deer poaching and the support we can give through the Partnership against Wildlife Crime group, and secondly by using the techniques the SRPBA has developed in its Food and Drink Demo Days to help DCS and the Scottish Venison Working Group promote venison as one of Scotland’s healthiest natural products and support better value within the venison food chain.
NORTH SHOWS
The SRPBA will be back again this year at Turriff and Black Isle Shows, followed closely by Moy Game Fair. Once more we will be supported in our efforts by Thorntons of Perth, who will join us on our new trailer and have kindly sponsored the Chairman’s reception at each show. Turriff Show – 1-2 August, Chairman’s reception 2 August, 12.30pm-3pm. Black Isle Show – 4-5 August, Chairman’s reception 5 August, 12.30pm-3pm. Moy Game Fair – 6-7 August, Chairman’s reception 6 August, 12.30pm-3pm.
CONTACTS
HIGHLAND REGION Chairman: Rhoderick Noble Old School House,
Kinlochlaggan, Newtonmore PH20 1BX 01528 544300
USEFUL
LANDBUSINESS ISSUE 36 JUNE-JULY 2010
49
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