Deadline approaching: Join the Moray Local Outdoor Access Forum

The call from the Moray Local Outdoor Access Forum (MLOAF) closes on 1 March, and you can find out more here or by emailing landsandparks@moray.gov.uk or phoning 01343 557 051.

MLOAF balances the needs and interests of communities, groups, landowners, and individuals, to make sure people have reasonable public access in their area.

Its members are walkers, cyclists, landowners, and farmers, plus representatives from public agencies,  including Moray Council, NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Scottish Forestry.

They get stuck into all kinds of land access issues, negotiating access and footpath upgrades round developments, and advised Moray Council on its Core Paths Plan and Active Travel Strategy.

Moray Councillor Marc Macrae, who chairs the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said the it was their contrasting backgrounds and differing perspectives that really helped the Council devise creative ways of improving access to the great outdoors in Moray: "For those who have that passion, this is an extremely rewarding group to be part of."

Outdoor author and speaker John D. Burns, who recently attended an author event at Elgin Library, commended the Forum for its vital work: "I’ve spent over 40 years exploring the mountains, hills, paths, and trails of Moray and the Highlands, wandering the rugged coastlines. It’s brought home to me how important outdoor access is, not just for our physical health, but for our mental health, and our spiritual health too.”