Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD MEETS CROWN ESTATE

DEVOLUTION OFFERS BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES SAYS MSP

Richard Lochhead MSP met with the Head of the Scottish Crown Estate, Andy Wells, in Glenlivet on Friday to discuss the opportunities for local communities following the devolution of the Crown Estate to the Scottish Parliament.

Moray’s MSP got a tour of the Glenlivet Estate and heard about how the estate is diversifying and included a visit to the wigwams that are currently being built on the estate and are expected to be a boost to the local tourism sector.

Mr Lochhead is encouraging people to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the management of the Crown Estate Assets in Scotland post-devolution.

Speaking after the meeting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“There is huge potential for opportunities from the devolution of the estates both economically and socially. 

“Local communities and the forty tenant farms should be able to have more say over their own destinies and the policies adopted by the Crown Estate.

“I am particularly keen to explore how the new Crown Estate Scotland can support more economic development in Moray.

“One example in Moray of what can be done that I was taken to view is the wigwam holiday pods being built in Tomintoul, which should be a big boost to local tourism, and hopefully there will be more project like the Glenlivet bike trails to bring even more benefits to this stunning part of the country.

“With the Glenlivet Estate and the Fochabers Estate, and local communities like Tomintoul with a close relationship with Crown Estate Scotland as well as our substantial coastline, Moray has a major stake in the organisation’s future and it is vital that people in our communities respond to the consultation on its management.”