SCOTTISH RURAL Action are appealing to community groups, voluntary organisations and elected representatives to nominate 'Rural Heroes' to be the voice of rural Scotland at November’s Scottish rural parliament biannual meeting, being held in Stranraer, opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Chief executive Emma Cooper commented: “There has never been a more important time for the voice of rural Scotland to be heard, and we want to make sure that the 2018 parliament is as inclusive and as accessible as possible.

“We know that for small community organisations, and for individual community activists, the cost of travel and accommodation can be a barrier. We want to take those barriers away, so we have put together a number of bursary packages to help people attend,” she explained.

SRA are calling on rural groups and rural representatives to nominate bursary recipients. Nominations for bursaries from under-represented areas of Scotland will be given priority. Thereafter, bursaries will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

You can nominate your rural hero by emailing contact details to nfo@scottishruralparliament.org.uk.