IFAJ 2014 itinerary - "Innovations from a small island"

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IFAJ 2014 itinerary - "Innovations from a small island"
The 2014 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists congress will be hosted in Scotland. The
congress is an annual event hosted by different countries around the world as part of the remit of the
worldwide organisation the IFAJ (see www.ifaj.org).
The 2014 congress will be hosted by Scotland and will focus on showcasing the highlights of the
Scotland's strong position and track record in agriculture, food and drink. The main congress will be held
in north east Scotland (4-7 September 2014), the optional pre-congress tour will be held in England from
1-3 September 2014, and the optional post-congress tour in either the Scottish Highlands and Islands or
Wales (8-10 September 2014).
The main congress in north east Scotland will attract 200 delegates - agri-food journalists from around
the world (Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, South America). The pre- and postcongress tour expects to attract 40-50 of the main congress delegates.
The whole congress will incorporate hard working daily schedules with the following overriding intent
to:
1. Demonstrate Scotland's vibrant food and farming sector
2. Demonstrate Scotland's diversified farm businesses, renewables and rural tourism
3. To highlight how entrepreneurial and innovative Scotland's rural economy is, despite 85% of
Scotland's farmed land being categorised as less favoured area (LFA)
4. Demonstrate innovation in the case studies, speakers and science & technology
5. Focus on the importance of innovation for the future of UK farming - people, policy, systems,
science & technology
6. Include leading organisations and innovators within the congress itineraries to demonstrate the
best of the UK's people and organisations
7. Technology will be a key element of the congress - including an interactive website, an App and
easy communications whilst the delegates are in the UK(wi-fi, UK Sim car ds for mobile phones
etc.)
8. Include scientists, key influencers, dignitaries and politicians to give delegates access to
influential people and interesting information/stories e.g. Scotland's First Minister, the world's
leading raspberry breeder etc.
9. Energy and production sustainability will be a core element of every tour.
I.
Main congress itinerary
There will be 200 places on the main congress in north east Scotland. The itinerary will include some
activities for all delegates and five main visit areas which reflect NE Scotland's diverse rural economy.
The counties being visited will be Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Angus.
The journalists will be staying in hotels close to Aberdeen airport, with the main host hotel being the
Thistle Hotel at the Airport.
The journalists will be taken to Scottish rural businesses grouped into five groups, representing the core
sectors in this region These are listed below:
1. Arable & whisky
2. Beef & red meat
3. Fresh produce & fruit
4. Field crops & potatoes
5. Diversification & forestry
The organising committee will also ensure that other enterprises not listed are included in visits e.g.
Poultry, game, Scottish history & heritage.
II.
Detailed itinerary
Wednesday 3rd September
8pm - IFAJ Executive dinner
Thursday 4th September
9.00-12.00 - IFAJ Executive meeting
 Delegates arrive
 Optional day visit to Glenlivet Estate? Max 90 people??
17.00-19.00 - Professional Development Workshop - The technologies of communication - apps, social
media, knowledge transer and decision support
19.30 - pre-dinner drinks
20.00 - buffet supper with welcome from Aberdeen City and Shire and main sponsor(s)
Friday 5th September at ANM Exchange
9-10am - IFAJ Delegate Assembly
10-12am - overview speakers (TBC) - James Withers (Scotland Food & Drink), Richard Lochhead
(Minister for rural affairs), Diversified Scotland (tourism & energy) Lena Wilson, CEO Scottish Enterprise.
Plus Caroline Spelman or Jim Paice from Westminster? this session will cover facts, figures, policy and
key areas of focus for Scotland (food & drink, renewables, tourism)
12-12.30 - SAOS and ANM to talk about Scottish Co-operatives.
12.30-14.15 - lunch, tour of Mart, sheep/cattle sales and lunch
14.15 - depart to Mackies - highly entrepreurial diversified dairy farm, low carbon production (wind
turbines on the farm), family business, high technology dairying, branded foods (ice-cream and crisps)
plus innovative cattle breeding work into milk for lactose intolerant diets. the event aims to include
Wisemans who plan to roll out the lactose intolerant milk commercially.
Farm visit, including attendance of James Withers, Jim Paice and Richard Lochhead. Plus a
representative from Taypack.
6.30pm: BBQ at Mackies
About Mackies
Mackies is a fourth generation family business making ice cream and other products on their farm in
Aberdeenshire. They work with Taypack in Perthshire growing potatoes to make Mackie's award
winning potato crisps. The farm is 1600 acres.
21.30 - return to hotel
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September
On the 6th and 7th of September the following 5 options will be repeated with no more than 3 stops per
day to minimise time spent on the coach. All will depart hotel at circa 7.00 and return at 18.00.
Dinner on Saturday night will be a Scottish Food & Drink evening with Scotch Whisky tasting and
stories about Scottish food, with short 'stories' from participating organisations such as QMS, Scotch
Whisky Association and Rowett Research (one of the UK's leading human nutrition research
organisations).
Sunday night will be the Gala dinner - venue TBC.
III.
Arable & Whisky Tour
The Scotch Whisky industry is iconic for Scotland as well as very important economically. The sector has
helped Scotland's food & drink exports hit £5.1bn, exceeding the Government's 10 year target. Scotch
Whisky accounts for £4.2bn of this export figure. The north east of Scotland his home to the bulk of the
country's 120+ malt whisky distilleries. This tour will focus on the history of this important industry right
the way through to the innovation and technology being employed in the sector. This tour will also
cover the arable crops that are grown to supply the whisky trade (malting barley and soft wheat), the
by-products from the industry (fed to livestock or into bio-energy facilities), energy production linked to
distilleries as well as the product itself, the production of whisky and the sales and marketing. This tour
will also incorporate the oat industry an historically important industry which has remained so to date
and has seen extensive innovative developments linked to the human health and nutrition market as
well as those in animal feeds.
[WHISKY HOST OPTION] Glenfiddich and Balvenie (Eddie to contact) (www.glenfiddich.com and
www.thebalvenie.com)
Glenfiddich is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family owned and our whisky has
become the world's most awarded single malt, a true reflection of the passion, integrity and innovative
spirit that have been passed down through the generations. Set in the heart of the Highlands,
Glenfiddich (meaning ‘Valley of the Deer’ in Gaelic) is a place of breathtaking beauty. The vibrant colours
of an artist’s palate fill the surrounding hills and forests, while haunting castle ruins and a bubbling
natural spring add to the romance. Glenfiddich is little changed since 1886, when William Grant and his
nine children rolled up their sleeves to build the Distillery with their bare hands. These same silent
warehouses and steamy mash rooms produce the world’s favourite single malt Scotch whisky today.
Balvenie is owned by the same family and will be included in the tour as will the Balvenie Castle ruins.
[MALTING BARLEY GROWER VISIT OPTION] linked to whisky visit
To visit a malting barley grower to talk about price, growing the crop, agronomy and marketing.
[WHISKY VISITING SPEAKER] Scottish Whisky Association (www.scotch-whisky.org.uk)
The Scotch Whisky Association is the organisation representing the Scotch Whisky industry.
[OAT HOST OPTION] Grampian Oats (Hamlyns of Scotland), Boyndie (see:
http://www.hamlynsoats.co.uk/about-us/) Joe to contact (Joe to contact)
The Hamlyns of Scotland brand is now 45 years old. Hamlyns is part of a family food business, owned
and managed by a family with 14 generations of history in oat milling. The mill at Boyndie, near Banff,
opened in 1991, in the heart of Scotland’s oat growing countryside. The climate in the north east of
Scotland is ideally suited to growing oats. The mill is still one of the most modern oat processing mills in
Europe, combining the latest oat milling techniques with traditional customs. Hamlyns was sold to the
current family owners in 1998. They remain committed to producing a premium quality traditional
product, 100% Scottish, from seed, to mill to finished product.
[OATS VISTING SPEAKER] HGCA - All About Oats campaign (see: www.allaboutoats.com)
'All About Oats' was launched by The Scottish Oats Group* in collaboration with the Home-Grown
Cereals Authority (HGCA) ** and Scotland Food & Drink. There are many different types of oats, from
coarse pinhead oats and superfine oatmeal, to regular and jumbo rolled oats, and so many ways to
enjoy them too- with porridge, oatcakes, and biscuits just a few examples. Oats are packed full of
nutritional benefits and can help reduce cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat and a
healthy lifestyle. Oats are a wholegrain food and a good source of ß-glucans, phytochemicals, B
vitamins, iron and potassium, as well as various antioxidants.
IV.
Beef & Red meat
Scotch beef is known the world over as a quality food product. It originates from Aberdeenshire with the
Aberdeen Angus breed.
Joe to contact Vion and QMS re sponsorship to drive where we visit. McDonald's as a potential sponsor
may also dictate where we visit.
V.
Fresh Produce & fruit Tour
This option will allow delegates to understand the vibrant nature of the Scottish soft fruit and fresh
produce sector, the marketing innovation, the science and the importance of this quality range of foods
to British retailers and food manufacturers. The visits will also demonstrate the world-leading research
and development work being undertaken in Scotland and the effective marketing organisations and
cooperatives operating in this sector. The host businesses demonstrate extensive innovation,
entrepreneurialism and talented people. This section of the congress will also allow delegates to
understand the issues of production in the Scottish climate, as well as management issues like staffing
and labour. The visits will also address how climate change, production carbon footprints and market
opportunities might change the crops and varieties grown in Scotland and wider in the UK. We plan to
invite along a retailer (i.e. The Co-operative which are members of Angus Soft Fruit) to talk about the
role of the retailer in fresh produce and soft fruit marketing and sales. This tour will also enable us to
discuss the UK's very high food standards and assurance schemes.
The proposed business visits are:
Castleton or Angus Soft Fruit (Joe contacting) - plus Nicky Jennings to be invited to discuss worldrenowned raspberry breeding at James Hutton Institute. Details of the host business options (farms are
either or) and the organisations that would be included within the visits are as follows:
[FRUIT HOST FARM OPTION] Lochy Porter, East Seaton Farm Joe to contact
(http://www.eastseatonfarm.co.uk/about-us.html)
East Seaton Farm is one of the leading growers of soft fruit in Scotland. It is a family business owned by
Lochart and Debbie Porter. East Seaton was formed in 1991 as a soft fruit farm. Since then, production
has expanded and continues to do so, as new systems and plant varieties are implemented to ensure
continuous production of high quality fruit for 6 months of the year.
[FRUIT HOST FARM OPTION] Castleton, Fordoun (see: http://www.castletonfarmshop.co.uk) Joe to
contact
Castleton Farm is a family run business owned by the Mitchells. The family bought the farm in 1992,
inheriting a soft fruit crop of 15 acres. In 1999, the family took the decision to stop dairying to increase
the soft fruit production to a commercial scale. Since 1992 the acreage and production has grown each
year to the current 100 acres of strawberries, 17 acres of raspberries and 39 acres of blueberries. We
supply our produce to multiple retailers, with the majority of the fruit going to Marks & Spencer, Tesco
and ASDA. Our fruit is also sold to local shops and delicatessens, which we deliver to daily throughout
the season.
[FRUIT VISTING SPEAKER] Angus Soft Fruit and Angus Growers http://www.angussoftfruits.co.uk/ Joe
to contact
Angus Soft Fruits Ltd is one of the leading suppliers of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and
blackberries to UK multiple retailers. The business was established in 1994 by three soft fruit growers,
Lochy Porter, his father Willie Porter and cousin James Gray, with the aim of benefiting both customers
and growers through direct contact between the two. With the addition of like-minded growers in
Holland, Spain, Morocco, the Middle East and Southern America the business supplies the best quality
soft fruit to multiple retailers 12 months of the year. Angus Growers is the Producer Organisation from
whom we source the majority of our UK fruit. Angus Growers was established and is managed by all 24
growers within the group. Their aims are to increase sales of soft fruit by helping growers to grow more,
better quality fruit and to market that fruit effectively.
[FRUIT VISTING SPEAKER] James Hutton Institute (www.hutton.ac.uk) Joe to contact
The James Hutton Institute is a brand new international research centre based in Scotland. The work
undertaken is right at the top of the global agenda and involves tackling some of the world’s most
challenging problems including the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security.
James Hutton incorporates the SCRI business which is world renowned for soft fruit variety work. This
work is now run under the Mylnefield Research Services business (see:
http://www.hutton.ac.uk/commercial) including development of varieties Glen Ample (No 1 raspberry
variety in the UK), Glen Lyon (No 1 variety in Spain), the varieties taht GlaxoSmithKline uses in its Ribena
brand.
[FRUIT VISTING SPEAKER] The Co-operative (http://www.co-operative.coop/farms/where-wefarm/map/blairgowrie/) Jane to contact
Fraser Scott (Retail Development Manager or someone similar). There is a packing house for
strawberries and other produce very near Scotherbs another proposed visit on this tour.
From Co-op Farms website: "The Co-operative Farms has been farming for over 100 years. With so much
experience to hand and as the leading community food retailer nothing makes better sense than for The
Co-operative to grow our own food for our own stores. In 2003, over 100 years since The Co-operative
Farms first supplied potatoes for our Co-operative stores, we launched ‘Grown by us’. This branded
range of products made it easier for our customers to identify food grown by The Co-operative Farms.
As time went on we realised our customers were becoming more and more concerned about where
their food comes from and how it has been produced. Working with our food team the Co-operative
Farms have re-branded their Grown by us range to support the British farming message across our food
stores. This highlights our position as one of the UK’s largest farmers and illustrates our support of the
wider British farming industry.
We focus on fresh, British, seasonal produce and therefore some products from our range are only
available in store at certain times of the year. Please see individual products for further informationThe
Co-operative Farms own 4 packhouses where we wash and pack fresh produce ready to be delivered to
our stores."
[FRESH PRODUCE HOST] Scotherbs (Jane contacting) (see: www.scotherbs.co.uk)
Set up by a farming family (The Wilsons), the business is now managed by daughter, Fiona Lamotte, a
Nuffield Scholar, her project was looking at how to extend the seasonality of covered crops in the UK.
This visit will allow delegates to see herb production, packing and the innovative work Scotherbs has
done to develop the herb market with celebrity chefs and retailers. Fiona Lamotte has been appointed
Chairman of the British Herb Trade Association.
Scotherbs is a supplier of Fresh Culinary Herbs & Salad Leaves to supermarkets, wholesalers & food
manufacturers. For over 20 years, Scotherbs has grown a wide variety of fresh culinary herbs & salad
leaves in the Carse of Gowrie, to the West of Dundee, North East Scotland. "Our expertise in growing
herbs & salad leaves has allowed Scotherbs to become the premier grower of fresh culinary herbs in
Scotland and one of the largest suppliers of fresh herbs in Britain, now employing over 120 members of
staff comprised of 16 nationalities. In 2011, Scotherbs are growing on 250 acres harvesting 15,000kg of
herbs each week in the height of season as well as sourcing from abroad from approved suppliers, to
complement seasonal demand from our customers which include supermarkets, wholesalers and food
manufacturers. Our recent move to a purpose built pack house and office facility, a seven figure
investment, has allowed us to continue to provide outstanding service, quality and expertise to
customers old and new in a modern setting which offers us a 2000 square metre pack house with a state
of the art high care facility. A pioneer in high care herb treatment, Scotherbs expanded in 2005 to offer
fresh herbs washed and chopped to customer specification." The Scotherbs packhouse is Field to Fork,
Nature's Choice and BRC 'A' grade
[SCOTHERBS VISTING SPEAKER] chef
Our aim would be to invite along a chef to talk about how important herbs are in British cooking.
[FRESH PRODUCE HOST FARM] Mike McLaren (Jane contacting) (see:
http://www.eastofscotlandgrowers.co.uk/our-growers/mike-mclaren/)
Mike McLaren of MJ & J McLaren, Cronan, Couper Angus. Mike farms in partnership with his father and
two brothers. The McLarens grow 750 acres of potatoes sold to Bartletts and 450 acres of broccoli sold
to East of Scotland Growers. With the arable cropping the total area farmed is 3000 acres.
[FRESH PRODUCE VISTING SPEAKER] (http://www.eastofscotlandgrowers.co.uk/company-profile/)
Jane to contact
East of Scotland Growers farmer members grow:


Broccoli for fresh and freezing sales
Cauliflower for fresh and freezing sales



Swede for freezing sales
Onions for fresh sales
Leeks for fresh production
We grow and supply quality assured produce for supermarket and market supplies. East of Scotland
Growers' agronomists are BASIS and FACTS qualified and they advise the growers on all aspects of crop
production and harvest functions. East of Scotland Growers markets produce to customers throughout
the United Kingdom and near Europe.
VI.
Field crops & potatoes
This tour will focus on two very important crops for Scotland - potatoes for seed production and human
consumption and oilseed rape, as well as including other important field crops such as feed brassicas.
This tour will include coverage of the diverse markets for these crops, their uses in feed, food and novel
use applications, as well as the extensive research and development into the crops, agronomy, storage
and processing. Given that seed potatoes are such an important crop to Scotland, the production,
technical details of storage and handling, health status and markets will be covered for delegates. This
tour will also incorporate innovative food businesses adding value to field crops such as cold pressed
rapeseed oil and the marketing and sale of potatoes into the food chain. Linked to the food dimension
of this tour, health and nutrition will also be covered.
[SEED POTATO HOST FARM OPTION] A grower for Saltire Seed co-op close to Gregor Mackintosh)
(www.saltire-seed.co.uk) Joe to Contact
In 1992 a group of top quality seed potato growers came together to form a co-operative called Saltire
Seed Ltd. Right from the start, we knew we could only achieve our aim to become Scotland's Preeminent Provider Of Seed Potatoes by hard work, co-operation, adaptability and development. By
following these ideals we are now well established and have become one of the main suppliers to
Walkers Snack Foods Ltd for Walkers Crisps (one of leading brands in the UK). Saltire Seed works very
closely with Scottish Agricultural College in continuous R&D and innovation in science and technology.
[POTATO FARM VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from Albert Bartlett (see: www.albert-bartlett.co.uk) Joe
to contact
Albert Bartlett is Britain’s leading grower and packer of potatoes. Potato growers for Bartletts stretch
the length of the British Isles from Penzance to Inverness. The business has been very innovative on its
variety development interests, branding, marketing and retailer engagement. It is a family business for
more than 60 years, "we are fiercely committed to natural farming with minimum interference. Our
company slogan: ‘Naturally Grown, Naturally Tasty’ underpins everything we do. We strive to provide
value and quality, achieve excellence in environmental care, as well as innovate and excite consumers.
Several industry accreditations have come our way as a result of our commitment to the environment
and sustainability. We not only agree planting, and agronomy with our growers, but also irrigation,
harvesting and storage. We monitor insect activity to minimise our use of pesticides and use advanced
technology to conserve water and lessen our impact on the environment."
[POTATO FARM VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from Potato Council (http://www.potato.org.uk/ Jane to
contact
The Potato Council represents the British potato industry and is part of the Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board (AHDB). “Potato Council research that focuses on the priorities of the industry to
improve its profitability is crucial for a sustainable future.” Potato Council R&D Projects are
commissioned and managed that aim to improve marketable yield, reduce defects and reduce input
costs. The Potato Council will be invited to attend this tour to brief delegates about the R&D in the
sector, markets, volumes and challenges for the industry going forward. They will also be invited to
cover the retail market and the innovation in potatoes as a food ingredient as well as the health and
nutrition matters surrounding the crop.
[POTATO FARM VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from SAC i.e. Dr Stuart Wale (see:
http://www.sac.ac.uk/consulting/services/c-e/crops/agronomy/potatoes/potatogrowers/) Jane to
contact
The Scottish Government is funding extensive R&D in potato pathology (potato crop protection) and
potato breeding. It is a major objective of these five-year programmes of research that the findings and
outcomes are fully transferred to end users. Whilst most of the research is being carried out at SCRI, SAC
has been given the task of carrying out much of this Knowledge Transfer (KT) to end users. As the R&D
programmes have just started, there are few outcomes from the current research as yet but, in order to
get the KT programme started, a series of grower meetings at ‘Partner Farms’ is being held to present
the results of recently completed Scottish Government research and key Scottish Government policy
issues. These will provide an introduction into the new R&D programmes. SAC has been carrying out
monitoring on these topics at Partner Farms and monitoring will continue on Partner Farms until
harvest, and the results will be analysed. Further grower meetings will be held in the winter to present
these results.
[OILSEED RAPE HOST FARM OPTION] Gregor Mackintosh, Mackintosh of Glendaveny (See:
http://www.mackintoshofglendaveny.co.uk/about.html) (Eddie to contact)
Mackintosh of Glendaveny was established by Gregor Mackintosh in 2009. “The idea of producing Extra
Virgin “cold pressed” rapeseed oil came about during my honours year at the Scottish Agricultural
College in Aberdeen, where I carried out a study on cold pressed rapeseed oil. I saw an opening in the
market for this great healthy product and began working on establishing Mackintosh of Glendaveny
after graduating.” Our farm is located in Glendaveny, Aberdeenshire, between the town of Peterhead
and Longside village. The family farm is now in the third Mackintosh generation after the family
originally from Inverness moved to Aberdeenshire.
This element of the tour will cover the growing of oilseed rape, including agronomy, R&D into the crop,
varieties and the crop's importance to Scotland. This visit will also invite Gregor, a young entrepreneurial
farmer, to tell the story of his journey in developing his vibrant food ingredient business.
[OILSEED RAPE VISITING SPEAKER] HGCA speaker (see: www.hgca.com) Jane to contact
HGCA is the cereals and oilseeds division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
(AHDB).Funded by a statutory levy raised on growers, dealers and processors of cereals and oilseeds,
HGCA receives an income of approximately £10 million each year. Levies are raised by AHDB on the
following cereal and oilseed crops grown in the UK: wheat, barley, oats, rye, maize, tricticale, mixed
corn, rapeseed, linseed, sunflower seed and soyabean. HGCA carries out research and development,
market information, supply chain activities and consumer marketing programmes for the benefit of the
cereals and oilseeds sector.
The speaker from HGCA will cover the UK OSR crop, markets including feed, fuel, food, export and novel
use as well as the research being conducted on this important crops nationally. They will also cover R&D
work being undertaken by HGCA.
[OILSEED RAPE VISITING SPEAKER] Speaker from SAC i.e. Dr Fiona Burnett (see:
http://www.researchinformation.co.uk/pest/2002/B203214G.PDF and
http://www.sac.ac.uk/mainrep/pdfs/tn602clubroot.pdf) Jane to contact
SAC has conducted significant project R&D into oilseed rape agronomy, varieties, yield building, diseases
(of particular importance is Clubroot, light leaf spot, sclerotinia). Fiona Burnett will be invited to join the
tour to discuss the work she and her team have undertaken.
VII.
Diversification and forestry
Farm diversification is a very big part of Scotland's rural economy, capitalising on tourists visiting
Scotland for scenery, culture & heritage, outdoor activities and food & drink. This tour will focus on
diversified farm businesses in tourism, shooting/stalking and game as well as farm foods and forestry.
Visiting speakers will include FARMA, the Forestry Commission, Cairngorm National Park and Visit
Scotland.
[DIVERSIFIED HOST OPTION] Deeside Activity Park (http://www.deesideactivitypark.com/) Eddie to
Contact
Deeside Activity Park is a family business which offers very diverse leisure activities, accommodation, a
restaurant and farm shop.
[DIVERSIFICATION VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from Visit Scotland http://www.visitscotland.com/
This speaker will cover tourism in the north east of Scotland. Visit Scotland works closely with private
businesses, public agencies and local authorities to ensure that our visitors experience the very best of
Scotland and that the country makes the most of its outstanding tourism assets and realises its
potential. To do this Visit Scotland: markets Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors; provides
information and inspiration to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
and provides quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to our industry partners to help the industry
meet - and strive to exceed - visitors' expectations.
[DIVERSIFICATION VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from Cairngorm National Park Authority
http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/
Britain's National Parks are an important part of the country's natural heritage. Cairngorm National Park
is Britain's largest (4528 sq kilometres) and it is home to Britain's highest and most massive mountain
range; its biggest native forests; spectacularly clean rivers and lochs; moorland and farmland and a
stronghold for Britain's wildlife - this special place offers the warmest of welcomes from people who live
and work here. The park is an arctic wilderness. The land above 600 metres - known as the 'montane
zone' - is the largest area of arctic mountain landscape in the British isles. The Cairngorms contains the
finest collection of different landforms outside arctic Canada - from granite tors to heavings and leavings
from Ice Age glaciers. The Spey, Dee and Don valleys are major features of the lower ground.
39 per cent of the Park area is designated as important for nature heritage; 25 per cent is of European
importance. The forests of the Cairngorms contain remnants of the original Caledonian pine forest and
includes a rare kind of pinewood found only in Scotland and Norway. Heather moorland covers much of
the National Park. A product of centuries of interaction between man and nature, it fosters enormous
ecological diversity.
This speaker will talk about the National Park and the work of the Park Authority and its partners.
[ESTATE & FARM SHOP HOST OPTION] Finzean Estate and Farm Shop (http://www.finzean.com/) Bob
to Contact
Finzean Estate, Aberdeenshire, with its beautiful scenery of rich woodlands, heather hills and abundance
of wildlife, has been home to the Farquharson family for sixteen generations, including the renowned
Victorian landscape painter Joseph Farquharson. The Estate, encompassing farmland, moorland and
forestry is managed as an integrated family business with a keen interest in conservation and the
preservation of a viable and thriving community. The estate has a farm shop, tearoom, holiday
accommodation and offers shooting and stalking; two very important activities to Scotland's rural
economy and tourism offers.
[DIVERSIFICATION VISTING SPEAKER] Speaker from Scottish Land & Estates
http://www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk/
Scottish Land & Estates promotes the wide range of benefits land-based businesses provide: the tourist
attractions, leisure facilities and landscapes enjoyed by the public, as well as, housing, employment,
tourism & enterprise and farming opportunities. Our members are at the heart of managing Scotland’s
wonderful countryside.
[FORESTRY HOST VISIT] Birse Community Trust (see:
http://www.birsecommunitytrust.org.uk/index.html) Bob to contact.
Birse Community Trust (BCT) is an innovative and award winning local charity that exists to promote the
common good of the inhabitants of Birse parish and deliver wider public benefits. It manages nearly
1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of forests & woodland. The trust also owns and manages the unique
nineteenth century water powered wood-working mills that still survive and continue to operate in
Finzean. As part of this, the Trust manages land and buildings and a wide range of other projects on
behalf of the local community.
[FORESTRY VISITING SPEAKER] Ian Crowe - Forestry Commission (see: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/)
The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for the protection and
expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands.
From the FC website: "We plant 24 million trees every year, to create new woodland and to replace the
trees we harvest. Some of these trees will help to regenerate blighted industrial landscapes such as
former coalfield communities and to bring new woodlands closer to urban areas.
We sustainably harvest almost five million tonnes of wood every year from Britain’s public forests.
That’s around 44 per cent of total domestic production or 300 truckloads every day. This reduces our
dependency on imported wood and provides low-carbon materials for the domestic wood-using
industries, and for fuel and energy. The income from timber helps to offset the costs of managing the
forests in our care.
As Britain’s largest land manager we custodian of one million hectares of land including some of our
best loved and most spectacular landscapes. Two-thirds of the estate lies within National Parks, Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty or Sites of Special Scientific Interest.More people in Britain visit a forest
than do the seaside. We offer visitors many thousands of waymarked walks and trails, cycle routes and
bridle paths, open every day and free of charge. We have more than 150 easy access trails for people
with physical difficulties. In many places, the Forestry Commission provides the only local opportunity
for quiet and accessible recreation. The millions of visitors contribute some £2 billion annually to the
economy, mostly into rural areas."
Jane Craigie
10/04/2012
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