CYCLING FESTIVAL PRAISED IN PARLIAMENT Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative Murdo Fraser MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament celebrating the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival 2012, which has the backing of 26 MSPs from all political parties. The parliamentary motion reads as: That the Parliament welcomes the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival 2012, which is scheduled to take place from 4 to 13 May ahead of the 81 mile cycle challenge, the Etape Caledonia; welcomes the festival's programme of cycling events across Highland Perthshire, which, it understands, will provide routes and activities for all levels of cycling and is aimed at the whole family; believes that the beauty of Highland Perthshire’s landscape makes the perfect setting for the festival and that the festival will bring a boost to the local economy; congratulates the festival on its success to date; wishes it well for the future, and hopes that it will go from strength to strength. Murdo Fraser commented: “It is great that we have so many festivals and events in our area and I recently lodged a parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival and congratulating the festival on its success to date. I welcome the strong support in Parliament from 26 MSPs all giving their backing to the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival and I congratulate all the organisers on their hard work and dedication. “The Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival is one of many events and festivals in Highland Perthshire. Highland Perthshire’s landscape makes it the perfect setting for events and festivals and they all make an important contribution to the local economy. “Events such as the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival bring a welcome economic boost to the local area and I will the event continued success.”