Plan launched to widen access to national park
ENVIRONMENT Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has launched a five-year plan for supporting people from different backgrounds to enjoy the great outdoors through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Pupils from St Modan’s High School in Stirling, who all have additional support needs, demonstrated how they are able to experience the fantastic recreational activities on offer at the park, thanks to a project that lends specially adapted bikes for children and young people with disabilities.
The Blazing Saddles project is run by FABB Scotland (Facilitating Access and Breaking Barriers), one of the third-sector activity providers that the national park authority works with to increase opportunities to widen the health and wellbeing benefits of the park for people of all abilities and backgrounds and one of the key themes of the National Park Partnership Plan 2018-2023.
The plan sets out how all the groups involved in the management of the national park can work together to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits for the whole of Scotland.
The school pupils took Ms Cunningham, national park authority convener James Stuart and chief executive Gordon Watson for a bike ride in Callander, and explained what benefits the project has had for them.
Ms Cunningham said: ‘Along with our partners at the national park, I’m delighted to be able to launch this plan, which aims to unlock the area’s great outdoors for everyone.
‘And it’s particularly encouraging to see the focus given to providing access for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to the national park’s amazing resources.
‘It’s great to see the ambition of the National Park Partnership Plan in trying to tackle issues that are key to young people – by providing skills and training opportunities, as well as creating more affordable housing within the park itself. That’s particularly important during 2018 – the Year of Young People.’
Mr Stuart said: ‘The partnership plan sets out how, working collaboratively, we can tackle some really key issues not just locally but for the whole of Scotland.
‘The focus is on big priorities that are most likely to make a lasting difference such as helping to tackle the impacts of climate change through extensive peatland and woodland restoration and innovative flood prevention projects; creating a sustainable population through affordable housing and the creation of employment and training for young people; and creating a world-class visitor experience.’
Deputy chief executive officer of FABB Scotland Jan Brereton added: ‘We want to help make Scotland a happier and healthier place to live for everyone and break down the barriers facing people with disabilities.
‘The adapted bikes are really popular and we work with a range of groups, such as the pupils at St Modan’s, out of our base at Callander to give them that opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fantastic surroundings of the national park and all the benefits it brings.’
FABB Scotland is just one of more than 70 organisations listed in the National Park Partnership Plan, which sets out 13 outcomes across conservation and land management, visitor experience and rural development.
To read the National Park Partnership Plan 2018-2023, go to http://www.lochlomondtrossachs.org/rr-content/ uploads/2018/02/NPPP2018-23web.pdf