The Mountain Areas Review
In February 1989 the Scottish Office Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment, Lord James Douglas Hamilton, asked the Government's statutory adviser on countryside matters, the Countryside Commission for Scotland, to "study management arrangements for popular mountain areas such as the Cairngorms, taking into consideration the case for arrangements along national park lines in Scotland".
The Commission undertook a major review of Scotland's mountain areas, and after widespread public consultation published its report 'The Mountain Areas of Scotland: Conservation and Management" on 5 September 1990. The report recommended wide ranging measures for the management of upland Scotland, including the establishment of national parks in four areas of special importance.
The Mountain Areas report was circulated to a wide range of voluntary bodies and agencies, to all local authorities, some government departments, many individuals and representative organisations including all those who had been consulted during the compilation of the report. Views on the report and its recommendations were invited by 15 November 1990. In the event this ten week period proved too short ad the consultation period was extended. Over 230 responses were received, ranging from short letters to comprehensive papers.
The Public Response
The Countryside Commission for Scotland collated the responses, which have all been copied to the Scottish Office, and has prepared this report on them. In February 1991 it was passed to the Secretary of State for Scotland who will consider the Commission's recommendations in the light of the public response to them.
In general, reaction to the analysis of the problems set out in the Mountain Areas Report has been very positive, with the weight of opinion calling for immediate action. Reaction to specific recommendations has been more mixed, with a variety of expression of opposition and support, and comment on omissions or perceived inaccuracies.
On page 38, the Commission presents its overall conclusions, drawing together the recommendations it has forwarded to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the light of the consultation exercise.
About This Report
This Report on Public Consultation relates responses to the subject areas of the Mountain Areas report. Numbers in the text relate to chapter and paragraph numbers of that report (eg 5. 1). For each topic it:
- reports on the responses ('Reportage', given in normal typeface),
- discusses their effect on the Commission's analysis and proposals ('Discussion', in italic script), and
- suggests a Commission response ('CCS Response', in bold).
Annex A lists all those who responded.
Annex B lists the meetings which have been held around the country with locally based organisations, whether community groups, local authorities, tourist associations or representative organisations.
Annex C presents a categorisation of the responses, recording the range of opinions expressed in key subject areas and by whom.
A Key to Abbreviations can be found on page 43.