The Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society has pushed for Parliamentary time to be devoted to debating allotment provision. At last they have met with success and on December 17th, Jim Tolson MSP will move the motion detailed below.
It would be good if other MSPs were encouraged to support the motion and participate in the debate to build pressure on Scottish Local Authorities and other public bodies to increase and improve land used for allotments. To this end, why not write to your MSP to encourage them to help us? You could base your text on this brief example...
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Dear [MSP],
I am sure you know about the escalating demand for allotments. Edinburgh has 1,200 plots and over 2,000 on the waiting list.

There is a members' debate on allotments and grow your own initiatives on Thursday 17th December and it would be much appreciated if you could add your signature to its supporters.

This is the text of the motion:
S3M-05087# Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Allotments, Community Gardens and Grow-your-own Projects— That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society in its role supporting allotment holders and community gardens in Scotland, encouraging the development of new sites, enhancing biodiversity and preserving skills in gardening; acknowledges the valuable work carried out by other organisations in the promotion of community gardens and grow-your-own projects; recognises the links between green space, activity and good health and the social, financial, environmental and health benefits of gardening and growing one’s own food; highlights the need to protect and enhance green spaces, particularly in urban and deprived areas; notes that Crossford Community Council, in conjunction with Crossford Allotment Association and the Carnegie Trust, is investigating the provision of land for allotments, community gardens and social enterprise, and hopes that local authorities and other public bodies examine ways of transferring land to local communities to be used for such projects.
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You can find details of how to contact your MSP at http://www.writetothem.com

A group from the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society will be at the debate and they hope there will be a photo-opportunity outside the Parliament.