Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

The Scottish Government have announced a major rural networking event that will bring people together to drive forward a bright future for rural Scotland. The Rural Gathering will take place in Perth on 25th September 2009. The event will be an excellent opportunity for stakeholders from across rural Scotland to get together to share good ideas and practices.

The event will include breakfast with Ministers, a keynote speech from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead, problem solving workshops getting to the heart of rural development issues, international and local case studies and much more. The Gathering will be chaired by Ken Rundle of the Scottish Agricultural College and will be attended by senior figures from Governments, agencies and organisations working across rural Scotland.

Speaking during a visit to Boreland of Girthton Farm in Castle Douglas, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "Rural Scotland has huge potential. Many of our rural industries, and the communities they support, are proving to be resilient in the current economic climate and are well-positioned for the future.

"The feel-good factor I witnessed at the Royal Highland Show at the end of June is evident across Scotland. I have been out and about over the summer, seeing for myself all that rural Scotland has to offer - fantastic produce in Orkney, a successful deer farm in Fife, first-class training facilities at Barony College in Dumfries and these innovative wetlands here in Castle Douglas.

"These visits fill me with confidence and show me that we have people with the skills and enterprising spirit to ensure the social and economic fabric of our rural communities remains strong. We need to harness those abilities and empower people to take charge of their own future.

"The Rural Gathering will help people learn from one another and to spread good ideas and practices. I look forward to attending and hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to come along."

The Rural Gathering forms part of the government's plans to empower rural communities, helping them to shape their own destiny and to remain vibrant and sustainable places. The national event will be followed by a series of regional events.

Interested in attending?

The Rural Gathering is the most important event of the year for everyone who lives and works in rural Scotland and YOU have the chance to be there. To ensure that all areas and sectors of rural Scotland are represented, attendance will be by invitation from targeted rural stakeholders and groups.

However, a limited number of places are available to users of the Rural Network website. If you'd like to go, please apply now by emailing ruralgathering@ruralgateway.org.uk with subject line 'Rural Gathering expression of interest', with your name, address and contact details. Please send your email by 5pm on Monday 17th August. Successful applicants will be informed by 21st August. The event is free of charge and travel and subsistence expenses will be available for individual and representatives of community groups travelling from remote areas of rural Scotland. You can find a flyer for the Rural Gathering in our documents library.

Regional Coordination Service

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has been awarded the contract to deliver a series of regional events to follow on from the national Rural Gathering. Twenty local event will take place each year.

Norman MacAskill, SCVO Head of Rural Policy said, "I am delighted that the Rural Team at SCVO has won the contract to deliver the Regional Coordination Service. We are looking forward to organising a series of events which will promote and develop networking and exchange of good practice across all sectors and regions."

The Regional Coordination Service, the Rural Gathering and this website are part of the Scottish National Rural Network. The aim of the network is to connect rural Scotland and to promote sustainable, economic growth and community development. It is one of four UK networks.

Community Empowerment Action Plan

The Scottish Government launched their Community Empowerment Action Plan earlier this year. The plan encourages people in rural and urban communities to participate in the running of their neighbourhoods. You can download the Community Empowerment Action Plan in our documents library, and find out more about one of the featured communities in Featured Projects: Alness Initiative. Look out for further articles coming soon from communities that appear as case studies in the Action Plan.