Adventure holiday warning

THE Scottish Government has been urged not to “water down” safety measures for adventure holidays for youngsters.

The warning came as sports minister Shona Robison launched a consultation at Scotland’s national outdoor training centre at Glenmore, near Aviemore, in the wake of plans by the UK Government to replace the statutory Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) with a new voluntary code of practice. The AALA was set up in 1995 to license caving, climbing, trekking and watersports operators after four teenagers died canoeing at Lyme Bay in Dorset.

Patrick McGuire, of health and safety campaigners Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Watering down these safety regulations would be dangerous and irresponsible.”