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Oban in Argyll has been confirmed as the location for the first ever Scottish Rural Parliament, taking place from 6th to 8th November 2014. The Rural Parliament will bring together the people of rural Scotland and policy makers to enable better understanding, improve policy making and address rural issues.

Around 400 people will gather in Oban for the three day event which will develop and agree a way forward for rural Scotland as well as celebrating the strengths and achievements of rural communities.

Register your interest in attending by clicking here

Who can attend?

Any one living, working or with an interest in rural Scotland can attend.

Registrations of interest are open now. Click here to register until midnight on 25th September. If more people are registered to attend than we can accommodate then we will use the information you provide to ensure that we have a good spread of interests and location.

If there are places left after this they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Where & when is it?

The first Scottish Rural Parliament will be held in Oban, Argyll & Bute from 6th -8th November. The programme starts at 9am on the Thursday and finishes at 1pm on the Saturday. The official opening is at 5pm on Thursday but there will be visits to local projects and the exhibition open all day on Thursday. If you do not want to take part in the local visits, you should arrive at 5pm for the official opening or a bit earlier to have time to view the exhibition.

How much will it cost?

We believe it is important that wherever possible people attend for the full three days in order to contribute fully to the process. The fee for attending therefore includes attendance for all three days, lunch on all three days and dinner on Thursday and Friday night. It does not include travel (which can be subsidised) or accommodation.

The fee depends on what role you are attending in:

Representatives or employees of the public or private sector – £250 per person

Representatives or employees of non-profit/third sector/non-governmental organisation with a turnover of over £50k – £100 per person

Representatives or employees of non-profit/third sector/non-governmental organisations with a turnover of under £50k – Free

Representatives, members or employees of community groups – Free

Anyone who lives or works in rural Scotland who is not attending on behalf of a group of organisation – £100

If the fee is a problem for your group or organisation then please contactevents@scottishruralparliament.org.uk and we will call you to discuss. We do not want to prevent anyone from attending.

What about travel costs?

We will be able to subsidise the travel costs of some people attending. Details will follow for those who are offered a place.

When will I know if I have a place or not?

By the end of September.

How do I register my interest?

Click here to complete your registration.  If you have any problems registering then please contact events@scottishruralparliament.org.uk or call the office on 01700 500177.

What will happen at the event?

There will be a mixture of plenary sessions, workshops, visits to local projects, time to network, an exhibition, entertainment from Skippinish and other performers and presentations. More details will follow shortly.

Can I have a stall in the exhibition?

We expect places in the exhibition to be limited. Details of how to apply will follow shortly.

Where will I stay in Oban?

There are plenty of accommodation options in Oban and we will send you a list of providers when we confirm your place.

How else can I get involved?

A series of smaller events are planned across Scotland in the run up to the Rural Parliament which will feed into the discussion and debate at the event itself. Find out details here:http://www.scottishruralparliament.org.uk/events/