Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has suspended a plan to start charging for car parking at two of its sites in the Highlands.
Fees were to be introduced at Glen Affric and also Learnie Forest mountain bike trials in the Black Isle.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Highland Council's budget leader David Alston opposed the move.
FCS said it would now consult publicly on its planned changes at the two forests.
Mr Alston, a Black Isle councillor, said charging for car parking went against efforts to get people outdoors as a health benefit.
He also said people would start parking by the side of roads rather than pay the charges.
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-17364775 ]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-17364775[/url]
I dont mind paying a few £.
IIRC, the MCoS main objection to the Affric charges was that the ticket would show how long the car would be there for. I reckon most folk don't mind paying a couple of quid into an "honesty box".
where as while riding at kirkhill i noticed they have turned that into pay and display ....
who are they kidding.
i didnt pay - but then i didnt park either - i rode out from work.
noticed that alot of forestry sites are now turning to pay and display - which i dont mind at places with facilitys to upkeep like at Glen Doll (toilets and rangers centre) glen esk (toilets) glen muick(toilets+ rangers centre) or glen tanar(toilets + rangers centre) but i resent paying to park on flattened mud thats constantly the target of theft and has zero facilitys.
Terry more on here
[url= http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Aberdeennewlsetter.pdf/$FILE/Aberdeennewlsetter.pdf ]http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Aberdeennewlsetter.pdf/$FILE/Aberdeennewlsetter.pdf[/url]
Aberdeenshire FC do an annual pass for £30 that allows to named cars to to park for the year
extract from email they sent me
the charges are in operation now - you will be able to purchase a parking permit from this office - please send a letter marked for my attention to Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District, Portsoy Road, Huntly, AB54 4SJ giving your name, address, phone number and car registration (you can have up to two cars) and the cheque for £30 which should be made payable to the forestry commission - this permit will allow you to park in any car park in the Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District. If you have any queries please ring me on 01466 792707.