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Access forum
Membership of the forum

Membership of the forum

What does the forum do?

The Perth & Kinross Outdoor Access Forum is an independent group of individuals and representatives of organisations appointed by the Council under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. They are there to offer advice to the Council and the public on access related issues. View the forums aims and operating principles (PDF) [238KB]

Who is on the forum?

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

The Council invites 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 to represent their interest group. An annual election is held in April or May.

Can I join the forum?

Applications for a seat on the forum are welcome.  If you think you might be interested please contact a forum member to find out more. Applications need to be sent in advance of the annual meeting.

Completed application form (PDF) [67KB]  should be returned to OutdoorAccess@pkc.gov.uk, Communities, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5DG.

Current members

Agencies / Public Bodies:

Councillor John Duff

The Council representative is Councillor John Duff.  He is a Highland Ward Councillor & Leader of the Opposition. He is a retired Police Superintendent.

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 20 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.

Keith Robertson

Keith is a member of the Centre for Inclusive Living Perth & Kinross (CILPK) and is also the Manager and Disability Access Officer of the Perth & Kinross based charity Disability Beyond Borders, who are Internationally respected professionals on accessible environments for disabled people.  Keith himself is disabled having had an accident while serving in the Royal Navy in the 1970s, and has been a wheelchair user for over 40 years.  Keith is also a graduate of Heriot Watt University in Inclusive, Environmental Access and Design.

Community

Nick Cole (Convener)

Nick's interests include the environment and active recreation.  He is a private consultant in event planning and management and runs a small outdoor training business as well as the pre-eminent Blairgowrie and District Next Steps walking group.  He represents Local Access Forums on the National Access Forum.  As an Electronic Systems Engineer by first profession he is always ready to help devise solutions to problems.  Until the Pandemic he co-organised and ran the Blairgowrie Community Markets and has been very active in a range of community groups including establishing Growbiz, and BRAN along with other participants.

Jennifer Herd

Jennifer is a route organiser and committee member of Strathearn Rural & Riders Access Group, for walkers cyclists and riders promoting access for all. She is a British Horse Society Access Rep, and also their representative on the P&K Forum. She has been involved with many National Trail Surveys and A9 dualling surveys throughout Scotland and has broad experience particularly in negotiating equestrian access and representing the interests of horse riders. She is a keen mountain biker, walker and rider.

Joyce Carnegie

Joyce comes from a farming background & has been active with a number of community groups including the SWI and the Comrie Millennium Footpath Association over many years.

Sarah Walker

Sarah has 25 years local knowledge through work with a variety of voluntary organisations including the Soroptimist International, the Kinglands Hall and with ByCycle.

Recreation

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 mostly active in canoeing.

John Andrews

John is an active member of the Ramblers and is currently their Access Officer of the Perth Group. He enjoys hill and long distance walking and has keen interest in the development of path networks for all abilities.

Karen Inkster

Karen has 20 + years in the outdoor industry.  She is a hillwalker, climber, horse rider and mountain biker. She is also a member of the British Horse Society and the Scottish rights of Way and Access Society (Scotways).

Anne Macintyre

Anne is a member of Portmoak Paths Group and a Committee member of Kinross Road Runners and can be found walking, running and cycling the local trails of Kinross-shire and further afield. She is passionate about the benefits of enjoying the outdoors and protecting and promoting our local path network. 

Email: almacintyre@btinternet.com

Landowner/Manager

Councillor Hugh Anderson

Councillor Anderson is a retired Estate Factor. He has played an active part in many organisations being past Chairman of the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, Scone & District Community Council, and Scone in Bloom. He was re-elected as Ward Councillor for Strathmore in 2022.

Sandy Simpson

Sandy Simpson is a farmer and 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.

Mark Thomson

Mark has a mixed farm near Kinross. He is an active member of the National Farmer's Union, Scotland (NFUS) and was put forward by them to represent the views of farmers.

Last modified on 21 February 2023

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