Articles Tagged with: activity holidays

Celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Annie Lennox and Ken Livingstone have told the government that “more people escape to the forest than the seaside” as they battle to save Britain’s forests from privatisation.

The claim was made in a letter from 100 dignitaries to the coalition government, demanding that plans to sell off 15% of land managed by the Forestry Commission are reconsidered.

The letter read: “”We, who love and use the forests, believe that such a sale would be misjudged and shortsighted.

“It is our heritage. We are an island nation yet more people escape to the forest than the seaside.”

The letter forms part of a widespread campaign against the sell-off of woodland, which could jeopardise access rights for people using the forests in their leisure time or on activity holidays.

The Environment secretary Caroline Spelman claims access rights will be retained but activists believe the £100 million of potential earnings through the sell-off will speak louder to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Fears have also been raised amongst environmental activists that the remaining 85% of Forestry Commission land in England – land that amounts to 620,000 acres – could also be sold off.

In a statement, Defra said: “We will not compromise the protection of our most valuable and biodiverse forests.

“The Forestry Commission has and will play an important role in protecting and expanding the trees, woods and forests in England.”

Amongst the forests that could potential face being sold off are The New Forest in Hampshire and Kielder Forest in Northumberland. While the former is considered a “heritage forest” and could be spared the sell-off if a conservation charity agrees to take it over, Kielder is a “commercial” forest.

However, Kielder’s status as a commercial forest doesn’t necessarily make it suitable for commercial use. The forest is home to 70 per cent of the UK’s red squirrels and is home to otters, ospreys and goshawks. This bounty of rare wildlife makes cottages in Northumberland a hugely popular destination for tourists and a sale of the forest could badly damage tourism in the area.

Similar predicaments could affect areas such as Grizedale, where the forest is a huge draw for walkers and cyclists, and The Forest of Dean, where thousands of holiday makers head to camp and caravan every year.

A petition with over 300,000 signatures is making its way to parliament and protests are being planned at forests around the country.

As the snow melts and the frost thaws on Scotland’s hills, mountains and lakes over the coming months, a world of eco-friendly white knuckle rides will re-open to the thrill-seeking public.

Hill walkers, mountain bikers, kayakers and white water rafters will be heading north over the border into Scotland this spring to get their adrenaline fix and take advantage of the great open air theme park that is Scotland’s spectacular countryside.

Scotland proudly holds the title of Europe’s Adventure Capital and, whether you head to the Highlands, the Lothians, Perthshire or Fife, adventure holidays abound in every corner of the country.

The rivers of Scotland are a big draw for lovers of white water from all over the world. The meandering River Tay in Perthshire is an ideal spot to warm up before taking on the dramatic twists and turns of the River Findhorn as it makes its way through granite cliffs in the Highlands.

Scotland is the only place in Europe where adrenaline junkies can indulge in the phenomenon of river bugging. Strapped into something resembling a small, inflatable, rubber armchair, river bug riders bump and bounce their way along the rapids, through gorges and over waterfalls of the Tay, Tummel and Feshie rivers in Perthshire. On their way they will pass other active holiday makers trying their hands at canyoning, gorge walking and kayaking.

Safety is the number one priority on Scotland’s rivers and extreme sports insurance policies can be tailored to the needs of your trip.

Seasoned mountain bikers will tell you Scotland is second to none when it comes to rugged trails, woodland routes and downhill chases. If you’re in Scotland with your bike, you really are spoiled for choice. The Nevis Range at Fort William and Laggan Wolftrax at Newtonmore offer well-known routes to ride, while Glen Slighan on the Isle of Skye and Ryvoan Pass in the Cairngorms will test the mettle of more experienced bikers. Mountain bike insurance is available for your peace of mind.

For younger families, Scotland has a wealth of activities to offer. Kids can experience walking on water inside a huge inflatable ‘WoW’ ball, while those with a head for heights can find fantastic indoor climbing facilities in Edinburgh and Kinlochleven.

The spring wildlife in Scotland offers a unique chance to spot rare flora and fauna. Animal enthusiasts can even take a Forest Safari in Perthshire’s Caledonian pine forest, where they can see red squirrels and roe deer.

All of the above can be enjoyed safely and with minimal impact to Scotland’s precious natural landscapes by sticking to approved cycling and walking routes and not wandering into unknown territory.