Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

29th September 2012

Week Commencing 24th September 2012

Energy:
Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd, the consortium of EDP Renewables and
Repsol, will be holding public meetings in the north next week to update
on its submission to Scottish Government to construct offshore wind
projects at three fields (Telford, Stevenson and MacColl) in the outer
Moray Firth, just off the coast of Caithness. The events will be at
Helmsdale Community Centre on Monday 1st October from 12-8pm and at
Mackay's Hotel, Wick, on Tuesday 2nd October from 12-8pm.

Tourism/ Food & Drink:
October looks like being a productive month for tourism activities in
the area. This weekend sees the start of the Wild North festival, which
takes place in locations across the area over the next two weeks and
celebrates the area's rich natural and cultural assets. This weekend's
events take place along the north coast, with events in Assynt taking
place between 3-10th October, and a final series of events in Caithness
between 10-14th October, culminating in a Festival finale at John O'
Groats on Sunday 14th October. For more info log on to the Wild North
pages on the North Highland Tourism website at
www.northhighlandsscotland.com/wildnorthfestival or "like" the
Festival's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WildNorthFestival The
Festival has been supported by a range of local organisations, and
through the Highland Council operated EU LEADER fund and Scottish
Natural Heritage. The Festival adds to the previously-mentioned Wave
North Festival, and the local events as part of Highland Archaeology
Week.

Wick Airport will formally be renamed "Wick-John O'Groats airport" next
week at an event organisaed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce and
Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd. The move reflects the growing momentum
behind activities at John O'Groats, and is designed to increase
awareness of the Airport.

Enabling activities:
The Highland Council's "call for sites" - part of the Council's wider
action plan to ensure the area is prepared to capitalise on the
development of marine energy - will close for expressions of interest
next week. The call for sites aims to ensure that the database of
relevant business and industrial land in the area is as up to date and
comprehensive as possible. Expressions of interest forms can be found on
the Highland Council website at
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/energyplanning/renew
bleenergy/#norhig or by contacting the Development Planning team on
either 01463 702259 or devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk Deadline for submissions
is Wednesday 3rd October.

Communications:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the
delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP's
partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and
national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and
organisations across the area to update on progress. This week:
* John Swinney MSP (Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for
Finance, Employment & Sustainable Growth) and Vince Cable MP (UK
Government Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills) are
both in the area to speak at tonight's (Friday 28th's) 40th Annual
Dinner for Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Whilst in Caithness Mr Swinney
performed the official opening for Caithness Renewables' new office in
Thurso (which welcomed its first hot-desking client this week), before
meeting with a small group of local representatives brought together by
Caithness Chamber. We had a very open and productive discussion with Mr
Swinney on a number of issues, including tourism, skills, transport and
digital connectivity.The last eight weeks have seen visits to Caithness
from a number of senior Scottish and UK Government politicians. Since
late July this has included First Minister Alex Salmond; Richard
Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment;
Fergus Ewing, the Minister for Energy Enterprise & Tourism; and UK
Government Energy Minister Gregory Barker. This week has seen a further
two senior politicians visit the area.
* Further positive press coverage of the north was in evidence
through an article in The Times earlier this month on John O'Groats by
travel writer Nicholas Roe, who stayed at the new Natural Retreats
development and experienced the company's new RIB trip around Stroma
amongst other activities (not online).

Eann Sinclair
Programme Manager
Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
Traill House, 7a Olrig Street, Thurso KW14 7BJ
Tel 01847 896834
Mob 07717 694055
Mail eann.sinclair[AT]hient.co.uk
Web: www.cnsrp.org.uk