Land reform on the agenda during Parliament Day

The Scottish Parliament is in Orkney today, Monday, to give local folk the chance to meet the Presiding Officer and MSPs.

Parliament Days were initiated by the Scottish Parliament in 2012. With Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP taking the lead, the Parliament is moving into communities around Scotland.

The aim of Parliament Days are to inspire local people to take an interest in and engage directly with the Parliament and its work.

Among her engagements today, the Presiding Officer will visit Orkney Library, Orkney Museum, and the Pier Arts Centre.

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee’s (RACCE) members are looking forward to a packed agenda. They’ll split into three groups to meet the people behind a wide range of local businesses and projects.

During Parliament Day Orkney, the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee will tackle the issue of land reform when it hosts a public meeting at Kirkwall Grammar School this evening.

Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee Convener Rob Gibson MSP said: “Everyone is welcome to come to Kirkwall Grammar School on Monday, June 8, from 5pm and engage with members of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee as we continue to tackle the issue of land reform. Our meeting will begin at 6pm.”

Mr Gibson continued: “Members of the Committee want to understand your opinions and encourage positive action on your behalf.

“The public meeting is also an opportunity for you to give your views and quiz MSPs and a range of organisations on the land reform issues that matter to you. Who should own Scotland’s land? How should Scotland’s land be owned and managed to benefit us all? And should some land use take priority over others? These are all vital questions that we would like to tackle in Orkney.”