Focus Groups
As part of the Scottish Forestry Strategy Review, OPENspace (the research centre for inclusive access to outdoor environments; Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt University) ran a series of five focus groups, with an average of eight people per group, comprising:
- People from a remote rural area, based in Dumfries and Galloway;
- Blind and partially sighted people based in Edinburgh;
- Women from black and minority ethnic groups in Edinburgh;
- People with a range of disabilities, including mobility impairment and mental illness, based in East Lothian; and
- Young people from an urban area of social deprivation, based in Glasgow.
This project was undertaken as an exercise to widen the consultation base for the review process.
The OPENspace Final Report (1Mb) was completed on 20 April 2006.
Public Meetings
Ten public meetings were held to present and discuss the draft Scottish Forestry Strategy. Each meeting was hosted by the relevant Regional Forestry Forum:
| Date | Location | Regional Forestry Forum |
|---|---|---|
| 9 March | Dundee | Perth & Argyll |
| 14 March | Inverness | Highland |
| 15 March | Fochabers | Grampian |
| 16 March | Glasgow | Central Scotland |
| 21 March | Luss | Perth & Argyll |
| 28 March | Newtown St Boswells | South Scotland |
| 31 March | Dumfries | South Scotland |
| 3 April | Thainstone | Grampian |
| 25 April | Abriachan | Highland |
| 26 April | Edinburgh | Central Scotland |
Attendance averaged 25 at each meeting, with a wide range of individuals and organisations represented. Discussion focused on a number of key issues and comments (PDF 23k). This feedback, coupled with written responses to the second consultation paper, will now inform the final revision of the Scottish Forestry Strategy.
