[hilaryl]

Thanks tbworld.

Ideally we would like to do as little modifying as possible to the core files.

I have actually found a way that works better for what I am trying to achieve - and it validates in the template!

Instead of trying to compare the whole parentlist array (690,610,-1) I've created variables in the custom plugin that are assigned to specific keys in the array (each forum id level).

// Get the second last key in the array and assign it to a variable
$grandparent = $parentarray[count($parentarray)-2];

I do the same to get the third last key.

Now I can access the variable in my template like this

<vb:if condition="in_array($grandparent, array(13,62))"> It's working </vb:if>

This method seems to be exactly what am after, and the best part is I don't have to force save the templates.

Thanks for all your replies everyone. Talking it out and looking at the possible options has helped me understand better what I can do/need to do.

Thanks,
hilaryl