A rural parliament

AMIDST all the talk about Scottish independence, Shetland people are being invited to join another debate about a different new political institution – the Scottish Rural Parliament.

The very first Scottish Rural Parliament takes place in Oban in November, but in the run up people in rural areas throughout Scotland are being offered the chance to contribute to the discussion.

Rural parliaments are common throughout Europe, especially in Scandinavia, and allow communities to feed their concerns and ideas into the national decision-making process.

On Thursday evening at Market House on Lerwick’s Harbour Street, Voluntary Action Shetland will host a public event to find out more about the SRP.

The issues raised will feed into the three day event in Oban, which will bring together 400 decision-makers, organisations and people from rural communities across Scotland.

VAS executive officer Catherine Hughson said this was “a valuable opportunity” for people to find out more about the new “bottom up” parliament.

“I urge you to attend the event if you can and help us to share the challenges and achievements of our community,” she said.

For more information go to www.scottishruralparliament.org.uk