The Applecross Trust announced on 13th November that it is to develop further its Applecross Landscape Partnership Scheme (ALPS), regarded as a highly successful and productive community engagement initiative.
ALPS will be reviewed and developed for the future when it completes its current programme of projects and will involve a wide range of community organisations and representatives from the Applecross peninsula.
The ALPS scheme (www.visit-applecross.org) aims to conserve and promote the cultural and natural heritage of one of Scotland’s most scenic areas. It involves seven separate community-based organisations and has been successful in delivering more than 40 local projects.
Archie MacLellan, Administrator of The Applecross Trust, said: ‘The Trust is proud of its success in promoting community engagement for many years but it agrees with the community that there is always scope for innovation and moving forward.
‘We will therefore strive to strengthen the various partnership groups so as to take new ideas forward in tandem with them on an ongoing basis, in particular through the development of the Applecross Landscape Partnership Scheme. The message we have received from the local community is that the overwhelming majority of local people support the Trust and its work and believe this is the best way forward.
‘Recently, we have witnessed the Land Action Scotland, which ostensibly wanted to improve local accountability. In reality, it is a politically motivated campaign to gain control of The Applecross Trust.
‘The Trust does not think this would have delivered any benefit to the peninsula, particularly in view of the fact that so many of the applications for membership had no connections with the peninsula whatsoever. More importantly, the local community – whom we consulted – share this view. We have had many messages of support from the community who have made it clear that this campaign has been unwelcome.
‘The Trust has respectfully refused the applications and looks forward to continue working with the local community, as we have always done, to deliver enduring and meaningful public benefit to Applecross which is the core objective of this Trust.’
Following this announcement by The Applecross Trust, Luke Borwick, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: ‘The decision by The Applecross Trust to develop ALPS is to be warmly welcomed. The initiative has been extremely successful and is a striking example of constructive community engagement and co-operation.
‘The clear message from the Applecross community has been that they did not welcome the Land Action Scotland campaign to gain control of a Trust that has, over the years, dedicated itself to delivering benefits to the Applecross peninsula and its residents.’
