Scotland: National Rural Network
Are you involved with your local village hall? Do you have a question about legislation? Or are you looking for some funding advice? Perhaps you want some help with volunteer management? Our panel of village halls experts is here to help.
In our latest Ask an Expert feature you're getting three times the expertise with our first ever panel of experts! Chrissy Boyd, Chair of Ullapool Village Hall, Philippa Wetton, Development Worker at Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service and Sandra Hogg, Rural Development Officer at SCVO will answer your questions on village halls.
Send your questions to editor@ruralgateway.org.uk (under 75 words please) by Monday 9th August. You can find out more and get more information about our panel in Put your questions to our village halls experts.
The Scottish Government has announced a new Livestock Grazing in Woodland option for Rural Priorities and the availablity of rhododendron management within woodlands. You can get further information in New livestock grazing in woodland option for Rural Priorities.
If you attended one of the Scottish National Rural Network's 20 regional events that took place from November 2009 to May 2010, please take five minutes to complete our online survey. You can find all the event reports, photos and presentations from the events in our Rural Network Regional Events archive.
Consumer Focus Scotland have published a briefing note for parcel operators recommending better communication between operator and customer and an increase in alternative delivery methods. You can find out more in Parcel delivery recommendations made. And find out how Parcel surcharges nearly ruined my soup in the latest SCVO Rural Team blog!
The Callander Youth Project are thinking about buying a disused hotel to turn into a youth hub, whilst also developing some social enterprising ideas from the new hub to generate income. Does anyone know of a youth group doing something similar? You can get in touch and share your experience by adding a comment to the Youth project looking for similar projects discussion forum.
The best of Scotland's sustainable food and drink will be one of the main attractions at the Big Tent Festival, which takes place at Falkland Estate on 23rd to 25th July. A range of produce, much of it organic and sourced locally, will be tempting festival-goers' taste buds at the event's One Planet Food Village. There will also be demonstrations, talks and workshops on food and drink. You can find out more in Food and drink takes centre stage at Big Tent Festival.
Braemar is set to become a real life Brigadoon on Sunday 25th July when the village turns the clock back to the final Jacobite Rebellion. The Jacobite Fete and Musical Drama event will see a range of activities including the chance to dress up as a Jacobite and take part in eighteenth century games. You can find more information in our Events Calendar.
Rural Scotland is in the process of switching over to digital TV. Some areas such as Orkney and the Borders have already completed the switch, and other areas are due to switchover in the coming weeks and months. You can get links to advice and information available, and find out about a grant available to hold a community outreach event in your area, in Rural Scotland switching over to digital.
The seventh European Mountain Convention will take place in Lillehammer, Norway from 15th to 17th September. The event has the theme 'European Mountain Regions - a spirit of innovation'. You can find out more in Norway conference to explore innovation in mountain regions.
A number of new opportunities to cooperate on transnational projects have been published on the UK National Rural Network website. The projects include those on European oral singing traditions and cultural tourism. You can get more information in New transnational cooperation opportunities.
An Austrian LEADER Local Action Group are looking for good project examples around the local supply of convenience goods, such as multi-use shops, mobile shops and local distribution centres for convenience goods. If you know of such a project please add a comment to the Multi-functional shops, mobile shops and local distribution centres - project examples wanted discussion forum and we'll pass the information on.
This September a unique event fusing sport and cultural heritage will take place in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 'The Chase' duathlon is part of the Scottsland Festival, celebrating Sir Walter Scott's famous poem 'The Lady of the Lake'. There is also 'The Wee Chase' for children. Find out more in our Events Calendar.
On 14th and 15th August, Rosemarkie Beach in the Higlands will play host to the Let's Get Active Expo. It's a chance to find out about exciting activities in the area. Find out more in our Events Calendar.
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