Local access forums
A local access forum is a group of representatives with a range of interests in access, who come together to discuss how to develop, manage and promote access locally.
What is a Local Access Forum (LAF)?
A local access forum is a group of representatives with a range of interests in access, who come together to discuss how to develop, manage and promote access locally. Generally the LAF includes representatives from:
- Users (eg representing walkers, cyclists, horse riders, people with disabilities and water sports)
- Land managers (eg bodies representing farming, estates and businesses, forestry)
- Public agencies (eg access authority, local enterprise company, NatureScot, Forestry Commission)
- Community interests (eg representing the community council, local residents' association).
Why are they established?
The LAF will encourage dialogue among these interests about access issues. The functions of the LAF are to provide an advisory and dispute-resolution service for the access authority and others. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act, 2003 (section 25) states that each local authority shall establish a body known as a local access forum.
What are they doing?
Each local forum differs slightly in its membership and aims and objectives. They have generally played a major part in advising over the core paths plan for their area, and may help in advising over local disputes or issues, or helping to promote awareness of access rights and responsibilities.
The Paths for All/NatureScot guide provides advice and examples on how LAFs can work.
How can I find out more about my local access forum?
Your local access officer will know when your local forum meets. Meeting agendas and minutes may appear on your local authority web-site.
Local access forum contacts
| Access authority | Local access forum | Contact details / website |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City Council | Aberdeen Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / Aberdeen Outdoor Access Forum |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Aberdeenshire Local Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] or [email protected] / Aberdeenshire Local Outdoor Access Forum |
| Angus Council | Angus Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Angus Local Access Forum |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Argyll and Bute Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Argyll and Bute Local Access Forum |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Edinburgh Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Outdoor Access in Edinburgh |
| Clackmannanshire Council | Clackmannanshire Access Forum | [email protected] / The Clackmannanshire Access Forum Representatives |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | - | - |
| Dumfries and Galloway | - | - |
| Dundee City Council | Biking, Riding and Walking Forum (BRAW) | [email protected] / Biking, Riding and Walking (BRAW) Forum |
| East Ayrshire Council | - | - |
| East Dunbartonshire Council | - | - |
| East Lothian Council | - | - |
| East Renfrewshire Council | - | - |
| Falkirk Council | - | - |
| Fife Council | Fife Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Outdoor access in Fife |
| Glasgow City Council | - | - |
| Highland Council | Caithness | Highland Council Local Access Forums |
| Sutherland | Highland Council Local Access Forums | |
| Ross and Cromarty | Highland Council Local Access Forums | |
| Skye and Lochalsh | Highland Council Local Access Forums | |
| Inverness and Nairn | Highland Council Local Access Forums | |
| Lochaber | Highland Council Local Access Forums | |
| Inverclyde Council | Inverclyde Local Access Forum (ILAF) | [email protected] / Inverclyde Local Access Forum |
| Midlothian Council | Midlothian Access Forum | [email protected] / Outdoor Access in Midlothian |
| Moray Council | Moray Local Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / Moray Local Outdoor Access Forum |
| North Ayrshire Council | North Ayrshire Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / Outdoor Access in North Ayrshire |
| North Lanarkshire Council | North Lanarkshire Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / North Lanarkshire Outdoor Access Forum |
| Orkney Islands Council | Orkney Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Orkney Local Access Forum and Countryside Committee |
| Perth and Kinross Council | Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / Perth & Kinross Outdoor Access Forum |
| Renfrewshire Council | Renfrewshire Access Forum | [email protected] / Renfrewshire Access Forum |
| Scottish Borders Council | Scottish Borders Local Access Forum | [email protected] / Outdoor Access in the Scottish Borders |
| Shetland Islands Council | Shetland Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / Shetland Outdoor Access Forum |
| South Ayrshire Council | South Ayrshire Local Access Forum | South Ayrshire Local Access Forum |
| South Lanarkshire Council | South Lanarkshire Outdoor Access Forum | [email protected] / South Lanarkshire Outdoor Access Forum |
| Stirling Council | Stirling Area Local Access Forum (SALAF) | [email protected] / Stirling Area Local Access Forum |
| West Dunbartonshire Council | West Dunbartonshire Access Forum | West Dunbartonshire Access Forum |
| West Lothian Council | West Lothian Access Forum | [email protected] / About the West Lothian Local Access Forum |
| Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park | Loch Lomond & the Trossachs Access Forum | [email protected] / Loch Lomond & the Trossachs Access Forum |
| Cairngorms National Park | Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum | Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum |
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