Local Access Forum Current Members
The Perth & Kinross Outdoor Access Forum is an independent group of individuals and representatives of organisations appointed by us under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. They are there to offer advice to us and the public on access related issues.
There are 16 seats on the Forum, four seats are held by people from each of four categories being -
- Agencies/Public Bodies
- Community
- Recreational interests
- Landowners/managers
We invited four Agencies/Public Bodies to put forward representatives to sit on the Forum. The other 12 seats are held by people who have been elected at public meetings. An annual election is held in May, nominations for new members are taken in advance.
Agencies/Public Bodies:
Bob Ellis (Vice Convener)
The Council representative is Bob Ellis. He is Chairman of the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust and of the Blairgowrie and District Paths Group. He is a Councillor in Blairgowrie and Current Vice Convener of the Standards and Scrutiny Committee. Bob is a keen hill walker and runner.
Achanalt, 15 Ann Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6EF
Tel: 01250 873899
E-mail: rsellis@pkc.gov.uk
Mike Shepherd
Mike represents Scottish Natural Heritage. He is an Area Officer for Tayside and Clackmannanshire Area with a particular responsibility for access and recreation issues. Outdoor pursuits include mountain biking, skiing, birdwatching, fishing and golf.
SNH, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW
Tel: 01738 444177
E-mail: mike.shepherd@snh.gov.uk
Mike Strachan
Mike represents the Forestry Commission Scotland. He is the Policy and Development Officer for Perth and Argyll Conservancy. Mike has spent the last 14 years promoting best forest practice in Highland Perthshire, and has had a significant input to developing path networks, Big Tree Country , promoting the use of bio-mass and alternative energy etc. He also has a sound knowledge of the area and how infrastructures and partnerships can be developed.
FCS, Algo Business Park, Glenearn Road, Perth PH2 0NJ
Tel: 01738 442830
E-mail: Mike.strachan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Fiona Meikle
Fiona is Environmental Tourism Manager with VisitScotland Perthshire and has worked in a variety of tourism related posts over the past 17 years. She is an enthusiastic walker and touring cyclist with a strong interest in environmental issues and the natural world.
VisitScotland Perthshire Network Office, Lower City Mills, West Mill Street, Perth PH1 5QP
Tel: 01738 450613
E-mail: fionameikle@visitscotland.com
Community:
Nick Cole (Convener)
Nick is a member of Strathmore and the Glens Rural Partnership, Chairperson Blairgowrie High School Board, Chairman of Blairgowrie and District Next Steps Walking Group, Vice Chair of East Perthshire Access Network, and a director of Meigle Community Trust. He is a member of the health walking Stride for Life programme in Perth and Kinross. Nick is the director of NSC Design Ltd, specialising in consultancy, event planning and management, and engineering. He also takes a keen interest in environmental matters and champions a practical holistic approach to systems and society.
Balmacron Farmhouse, Meigle, PH12 8TD
Tel: 01828 640763
E-mail: nick@nscdesign.com
Andrew Thompson
Andrew lives in Dunning and is a member of Friends of the Ochils. Originally from a livestock farming background, he worked in commercial forestry, native woodland conservation, conservation land management, aquaculture,
arboricultural surveying and green politics.
Belvue, Thimble Row, Dunning PH2 ORT
Tel: 01764 684454
E-mail: info@actgreen.co.uk
Sandy Simpson
Sandy Simpson, a farmer, is Chairman of the local branch of the Royal Highland Education Trust, a Director of Rural Services Scotland (formerly Perthshire Machinery Ring) and a member of the Perth & Kinross Agricultural Forum. He takes a great interest in all environmental issues.
Pepperwell House, Castle Farm, Methven, Perth PH1 3SU
Tel: 01738 840260 or 07866 694130
E-mail: office@simpsonthepeel.co.uk
Peter Pearson
Peter is Chair of Methven and District Community Council and is a walker and cyclist. Now retired he worked within the Countryside Commission for Scotland then Scottish Natural Heritage. He was closely involved with the training of Countryside Rangers.
Harrietfield, Perth PH1 3TD
Tel: 01738 880200
E-mail: pearsons1@ukonline.co.uk
Recreation:
Evelyn Scobie
Evelyn works part-time at Perth College in the Materials Production unit.
Her main interests are walking and SWRI, and she is an active member of the SWRI Walking Group, ?Rural Walkers? and Abernethy Walking Group, organising and leading walks. She takes a keen interest in the countryside and has been involved with practical paths projects through the Abernethy Environmental Association. She is also a past member of Abernethy Community Council and is currently Secretary of the Williamson Hall Management Committee.
25 Den Park, Abernethy PH2 7JF
Tel: 01738 850496
E-mail: eveyln05@supanet.com
Mary Conacher
Mary was the Access Officer for the Scottish Canoe Association and a canoe instructor for many years. She has an interest in sailing and windsurfing though still most active in canoeing.
Beech Cottage, Balgowan Place, New Alyth PH11 8NQ
Tel: 01828 632168
E-mail: mary.conacher@tesco.net
Ron Payne
Ron is a retired electrical engineer and now has more time to devote to his mountaineering interests of hill and mountain walking, rock climbing and ski touring. He has a particular interest in access to mountains and wider countryside as well as path networks.
Conifers, Lambourn, Wolfhill PH2 6TQ
Tel: 01821 650456
E-mail: ron@ronpayne.plus.com
Judith Belford
British Horse Society Tayside representative. (awaiting details)
Sydney Cottage, 4 Manse Lane, Kirrimuir DD8 5BW
Tel: 01575 575997
E-mail: j.belford@btopenworld.com
Landowner/Manager:
Hugh Anderson
Hugh is currently Assistant Factor for Mansfield Estates. Past Chairman of Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, Board member of Scotways (Scottish Rights of Way and access society), founder member of Perthshire Tourist Board, Vice Chairman of Scone and District Community Council and Chairman of Scone in Bloom.
Factors House, Scone Palace, Perth PH2 6BB
Tel: 01738 552162
E-mail: hugh.anderson@scone-palace.co.uk
Edward Stewart
Edward is a farmer with a working knowledge of rural regeneration. He represents the National Farmers Union of Scotland and is also a member of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society. He plays an active part in his local community.
Knockbarry Farm, Pitlochry PH16 5JN
Tel: 01796 473975
E-mail: eastewart@knockbarry.fsnet.co.uk
Malcolm Strang Steel
Malcolm is a solicitor and farmer. He has an interest in nature conservation and fieldsports and is a member of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, the Game Conservancy Trust, the Salmon & Trout Association and the Scottish Gamekeeper?s Association, Scottish Rural Property & Business Association and Portmoak Community Paths Group.
Greenhead of Arnot, Leslie, Glanrothes KY6 3JQ
Tel: 01592 840459
E-mail: steel@greenheadfarm.fsnet.co.uk
Alastair Riddell
Alastair Riddell runs a small marginal family estate in the highlands of western Perthshire. He brings to the Access Forum lifelong experience in land and riparian ownership and management. He has extensive knowledge of rural business and a passion for conservation. He has hands on experience in access management and recreation taking. He supports the principle of responsible managed access. He enjoys skiing and a full range of other outdoor activities. He is Deputy Chair of Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Perthshire and a Trustee of Scottish Native Woods. He is a member of the Association of Deer Management Groups.
Balintyre, Chesthill, Glenlyon PH15 2NH
Tel: 01887-877267
E-mail: info@chesthill.com or ajrchesthill@aol.com
