ACT WILL SEE ELECTIONS HELD ON DIFFERENT DAYS
MSPs have today passed a Bill that will lead to local government elections being held on a separate day from Scottish Parliamentary elections from 2012.
Decoupling local government elections from the Scottish Parliament elections was one of the recommendations of the independent review of the Scottish Parliamentary and Local Government Elections 2007 (the Gould Report).
Welcoming the successful passage of the Local Government Elections (Scotland) Bill, Bruce Crawford, Minister for Parliamentary Business said:
"Local government elections are an important part of the democratic system in Scotland. Our councils do a vital job and it is right that elections to these bodies are given their proper place, rather than overshadowed by national elections on the same day.
"Holding the elections on different dates will help eliminate the voter confusion that was experienced in 2007 and give Scottish local government elections the prominence they deserve."
As a result of the change proposed in the Bill, the next local government elections in Scotland will take place in 2012. The dates of future Scottish Parliamentary elections will be unaffected.
The second part of the Bill includes provisions to allow certain post election information which is already available at ward level, to be made available at sub ward (or polling station) level.
Friday 19 June 2009
Thursday 18 June 2009
Lagavulin Fundraisers Rowing Challenge
The beautiful skiff ISIS will be put through her paces once again this year in a series of timed challenges as she is rowed round a course by crews of five sturdy oarsmen and women.
The Clearwater Marine Challenge will be in Port Ellen on Sunday 28th June at 13.00hrs,
The Laphroaig Challenge will be in Port Ellen on Tuesday 21st July at 17.00hrs,
The Malltings Challenge is on Saturday 1st August at 14.00s in Port Ellen,
The Ardbeg Challenge is held at Ardbeg on Saturday 22nd August at 14.00hrs
The Lagavulin Challenge is on Saturday 12th September at Lagavulin at 14.00hrs.
Crews can book their own start times. Please call Kevin and Marjorie at Lagavulin on 302400 or Phil at Clearwater Marine on 300301 for more details
A+B Council increases spend on roads
| The amount of money to be spent on roads in Argyll and Bute in the current financial year has been increased by £1.5million. The Council’s Executive Committee took the decision today to accelerate the capital spend on roads in 2009/10 from £4.5million to £6million – a 33% increase. Councillors heard how a national road condition survey last year had concluded that Argyll and Bute Council had the highest percentage of roads needing attention of any Scottish local authority. However, Argyll and Bute’s variation to the Scottish average is already reducing, and the gap is now likely to narrow further with the extra money committed this year. The Council’s spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, said: “The key performance indicators showed that the condition of our roads network improved by 5.2% between last year and the year before, but we obviously still have some way to go. “Roads maintenance is a priority for this Council. Argyll and Bute has nearly 2,500 kilometres of roads, the vast majority of which are A and B classifications, and for several years we have significantly increased the amount of money we spend on maintaining them. “Even before the extra £1.5million agreed today, we were spending more than double what was being spent four years ago in this area. “By accelerating the work yet further, we are ensuring that the roads maintenance backlog is being tackled now, rather than waiting for future years.” Councillor MacIntyre added that Argyll and Bute is also constantly looking at new, innovative solutions to roads maintenance. “Recent work at in Helensburgh and Dunoon involved methods such as COLAS Repave which are not only cheaper and faster, but which are more effective, look better and are carbon neutral,” he said. “We will continue to investigate all possible options in terms of improving our roads system as quickly and efficiently as possible.” A 10-year maintenance strategy for the roads network across Argyll and Bute is currently being drafted and will be put to Councillors later this year. The extra £1.5million will come from the capital budget for the next financial year (2010/11). The Colas Repave process involves hot in-situ recycling of carriageways, with the existing road surface heated to 150º C. Shallow cuts are then made to a depth of 30mm before an oscillating, floating screed re-profiles and corrects levels for the required crown or crossfall. The process is completed by the immediate application of either a 25mm bituminous wearing course, hot rolled asphalt with 20mm pre-coated chippings, high stone content asphalt or a proprietary thin surfacing. Material is recycled in-situ, cutting lorry movements, considerably reducing the use of new aggregates and minimising waste material. |
FARMING UNIONS BULLISH ABOUT BEEF AND LAMB MARKETS
Representatives from the UK Farming Unions and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have met in Belfast this week to discuss a number of issues concerning livestock market conditions.
The viewpoint was that while both beef and lamb supplies remain short across the UK and Ireland, demand and market conditions remain stable and positive. The group believes that this should ensure that prices will be strong throughout the remainder of 2009 and producers are well placed to demand appropriate prices for their livestock over the coming months.
Speaking after the Belfast meeting, NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee Chairman and Borders livestock farmer, Rob Livesey said:
“Having sat down with fellow producers from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire, the general consensus was that producers should take much-needed confidence from the current beef and lamb market situation and the positive outlook for the rest of the year. A prolonged period of confidence and profitability is needed if we are to halt the steep fall in the numbers of sheep and cattle being kept.
“Scotland is not alone in facing this issue and this meeting highlighted that livestock numbers are down right across the UK and Ireland and a similar scenario is being seen within the rest of Europe. This is at a time when consumer demand for beef and lamb is remarkably steady.
“Following the meeting with colleagues from the UK and Ireland, we want to put a clear message out to producers that they should take encouragement from current market conditions, continue to sell their livestock strongly and be prepared to negotiate for higher prices.”
Alan Reid MP - Expenses Statement
This is not an article for publication – it’s far too long for that. It is background information about my expenses. Feel free to phone me for more details
Having obtained all the details from the House of Commons Fees Office, I have published my expenses on my website www.alanreid.org The details comprise claim forms and receipts. Some information like bank account details, home addresses and staff names and addresses have been blanked out for security and data protection reasons.
The expenses details comprise the years 2004/05 to 2007/08. The Fees Office is still working on the claims and receipts for 2008/09. I will be able to publish these shortly.
Expenses totals for each year can be found at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/alan_reid/argyll_and_bute
I was one of only 27 MPs who voted against the attempt that many MPs made in 2007 to block the publication of these expenses. I was on the losing side of the vote that day, but the High Court forced the Commons authorities to publish all expenses details. So I am pleased that the Fees Office have now supplied me with the necessary files.
The following is background information about my expenses.
I will deal with each category of expenses in descending order of total amounts.
1. Staff.
More than half the annual cost. I employ four staff in my Dunoon office, not all full time, and pay a few thousand pounds each year to Lib Dem research staff to produce research documents which I find very useful. Most of this money is pooled with other Lib Dem MPs so that we can share the costs of producing research papers. All the parties adopt this practice. But the vast majority of my staffing expenses are paid to staff who live in Argyll & Bute and so goes into the local economy. None of my staff are related to me.
2. Incidental Expenses Provision.
This is office costs. The largest single item is the rent for my constituency office. Because my office is part of a building with a common heating system, the rent also includes rates, electricity and heating. I pay £8,100 a year to Argyll & Bute Liberal Democrats. The Liberal Democrats rent a floor in the building from a landlord. They use one room on this floor and sub-let the rest of the floor to me. The floor space of the Liberal Democrat room is 10% of the total floor space of the floor. So my rent to them is 90% of what they pay to their landlord. Because of a possible conflict of interest I obtained a valuation by an independent surveyor. His valuation concluded that the rent was a fair market rent.
3. Travel
I fly between
4. Additional Costs Allowance.
This is the allowance used by MPs to live away from home on Parliamentary business. My main home is in Dunoon. I stay in hotels when in
The
Year Average Nightly Amount
2001/02 £123
2002/03 £124
2003/04 £150
2004/05 £167
2005/06 £185
2006/07 £233
2007/08 £198
2008/09 £184
2009/10 (to date) £137
Because I am usually in my Commons office until about midnight and back in it by early the next morning, I stay in hotels within walking distance of Parliament.
Because of the size of Argyll & Bute, the Fees Office allow me to stay in hotels and B&B’s when on Parliamentary business in parts of the constituency from which it is not reasonable to return home at night. I am also allowed a second home in the constituency. I have a second flat in Cardross. I use this flat when going for an early flight or coming off a late flight at
The arrangement of two flats in the constituency costs me a great deal of money from my own pocket. I am prepared to spend this money because it helps me to represent Argyll & Bute to the best of my ability. I own the flat in Cardross and rent one in Dunoon. I claim for the Cardross flat, not the Dunoon one, because the Cardross one is the cheaper of the two and I spend more time at the Dunoon one. Buying is cheaper than renting. For the Cardross flat last year, my only claims from public funds were £2,204 in mortgage interest and £1,494 in Council Tax. In contrast, I paid, out of my own pocket, £5,100 in rent and £909 in Council Tax for the Dunoon flat. I also pay two sets of utility bills. I have never claimed for repairs or improvements, furniture or fittings, house cleaning or utility bills. If, for example, I stayed in hotels when in the Helensburgh/Cardross area and at the Airport, claimed these costs from public funds, and rented the Cardross flat out, I would be far better off.
MPs are allowed to claim up to £400 a month on food without receipts. I have only ever claimed for food when I have eaten out when on Parliamentary business and have receipts to back this up. My food bill has only been a few hundred pounds a year, well below the annual limit of £4,800. Although I could claim for food eaten in my Cardross flat I have never done so.
5. Communications Allowance
This was introduced in 2007. Prior to then, the expenditure under this heading could be claimed from the Incidental Expenses Provision. This allowance is to enable MPs to communicate with their constituents. The two main uses I make of it are surgery adverts and Parliamentary Reports. For example in 2008/09 I claimed £7,080 for surgery adverts in the local press, £2,978 for printing a Parliamentary Report, and £2,240 to Royal Mail and £252 to Database Direct for delivering it. The remainder of the allowance was £38 spent posting letters to constituents. The Parliamentary Reports have to be approved by Commons officials to ensure that they have no party political content.
6. Miscellaneous.
This comprises, Staff travel, House of Commons Stationery, House of Commons Pre-paid envelopes and computer equipment.
Contribution to local economy.
Something not mentioned in press articles on MPs expenses is the contribution these make to the local economy. I employ 4 people who live in Argyll & Bute. I stay in hotels and B&B’s in Argyll & Bute. I put surgery adverts in the local press. I use a local printing company.
Extra costs of representing a large rural and island constituency.
I haven’t worked out the extra costs involved., but these must amount to over £10,000 a year.
Staff Costs. Because of the long hours driving and the need for someone to help supervise queues at surgeries and summer tour stops, I often take a member of staff with me. In terms of salary, overnight stays, ferry fares, meals this must add up to well over a thousand pounds a year.
Overnight stays for myself within the constituency adds up to a few thousand pounds a year.
Travel costs within the constituency are a few thousand pounds a year.
I need to pay Royal Mail £2,240 to distribute my Parliamentary Report. If I represented an urban constituency this would be carried out free by volunteers, but this is not practical in Argyll & Bute.
Surgery adverts. These would cost a lot less in an urban seat because one advert would cover the whole constituency. I know the cost per advert would be more, but with a lot less adverts, the annual cost would surely be a few thousand pounds less.
At a rough estimate, the extra costs of representing Argyll & Bute must be over £10,000 a year compared to an urban constituency.
Could Costs be Cut?
I have been looking at ways of cutting costs. It’s easy to cut costs by doing less work. However, the key aim must be to find a way of cutting costs without giving a worse service to constituents.
Staff Costs. No real option to cut costs here. Staff are on fixed contracts.
Office Costs. Again no obvious option. Rent is fixed. Most office consumables can’t be bought any more cheaply. When my present phone contract with BT expires, I will look at other options.
Travel. Only real cost cutting option here would be to buy non-flexible plane tickets in advance, rather than fully flexible ones. Inevitably, because of last minute changes to travel plans, some of these would be forfeited and costs could even rise as a result. I already travel second class on the train between the airport and Parliament. I already buy books of ferry tickets where this makes sense.
Hotel Bills. I could cut my
Communications Allowance. I could cut this, but, at the expense of giving a worse service to constituents. Not distributing Parliamentary Reports to constituents would cut costs, but constituents would not get my contact details and information on local issues. For the one Report produced in 2008/09, £2,240 went to publicly owned Royal Mail, therefore the net cost to the taxpayer for this transaction was zero. The rest, £3,230 went to local companies for printing and distribution. I could cut costs by using a printing company from outside the constituency, but that would take money out of the local economy. I could stop putting surgery adverts in local newspapers. I could advertise them on my website and Parliamentary Reports instead. About half of those who come to surgeries do so as a result of phoning my office to ask when the next surgery is. The numbers who phone as a result of newspaper adverts is small and it may be that this £7,080 of expenditure could be cut. On the other hand some constituents would be unaware of my surgeries and less money would be spent in the local economy.
As you can see from the above, finding cuts that do not impact on the service I give to constituents is not easy.
I have always tried to follow the principle that I should not derive personal financial gain from my expenses. I have always been well down the bottom half of the expenses league table. Over the three years of this Parliament for which expenses totals have been published, I am the third lowest of those Scottish MPs who have served throughout these three years. If I had bought a
If you have any queries about my expenses, please phone 07787-570-961.
Alan Reid MP 17 June 200
Wednesday 17 June 2009
The Lesser Butterfly Orchid
Keen eyed walkers and modern technology are combining to help save a rare jewel
of the Scottish landscape. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking people to
join the hundreds from all over Scotland who have already submitted records over
the internet for the lesser butterfly orchid, Platanthera bifolia. This
beautiful wild orchid with creamy white flowers with a short flowering season in
July has been reported from more than 260 sites over the past three years.
In 2006 little was known about its exact whereabouts in Scotland, although it
was known to have declined significantly across the United Kingdom. The launch
of a special website by SNH with its partner organisations Plantlife Scotland,
the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) and the Royal Botanical
Gardens Edinburgh has helped gather information about the orchid’s ecology and
present distribution.
SNH’s plant specialist Robin Payne said: “We’re grateful to all those who
have taken part in the survey and submitted records on the website so far. Now
that we know so much more about the lesser butterfly orchid we can take real,
well informed action that will protect and conserve this species. We’d still
like to know more about its distribution so if anyone does come across the plant
they can enter the detail of their findings on the SNH website
www.snh.org.uk/orchid2009/ .”
Lesser butterfly orchids grow on the edges of moorland or in damp grassland,
often along the edge of ditches or even on roadside verges. The slender white
flowers appear from early June through to mid-July. Surveys in recent years have
revealed the flower has declined, leaving the West of Scotland as the remaining
stronghold in the UK.
The orchid can still be spotted in a wide variety of habitats, particularly in
wet heath, bog, woodland edge, wet meadows, dunes, machair and the occasional
golf course. Some good sites have also been found in the East of Scotland and
four of the best Scottish sites had over 1000 flowering plants.
The Lesser Butterfly Orchid is one of 32 species listed for conservation under
Scotland’s Species Action Framework and is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan
species.
Jim McIntosh, BSBI Scottish Officer said:
“The short flowering season of the orchid and the general scarcity of
botanical experts mean we would struggle to achieve widespread coverage of the
areas where we would expect to find it. The website makes it possible for people
across the country to help by responding to this appeal and submitting their
records.”
Liz Lavery, who analyses the results each year for SNH, said: “The more
records we receive the better picture we have of its spread across Scotland and
records for 2009 from known sites, reported to us in previous years, means we
are able to see any changes in populations over the past twelve months.”
Please send any records of the orchid for the survey through the website at
www.snh.org.uk/orchid2009/
Or write to Lesser Butterfly Orchid Survey, SNH, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1
3EW.
of the Scottish landscape. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking people to
join the hundreds from all over Scotland who have already submitted records over
the internet for the lesser butterfly orchid, Platanthera bifolia. This
beautiful wild orchid with creamy white flowers with a short flowering season in
July has been reported from more than 260 sites over the past three years.
In 2006 little was known about its exact whereabouts in Scotland, although it
was known to have declined significantly across the United Kingdom. The launch
of a special website by SNH with its partner organisations Plantlife Scotland,
the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) and the Royal Botanical
Gardens Edinburgh has helped gather information about the orchid’s ecology and
present distribution.
SNH’s plant specialist Robin Payne said: “We’re grateful to all those who
have taken part in the survey and submitted records on the website so far. Now
that we know so much more about the lesser butterfly orchid we can take real,
well informed action that will protect and conserve this species. We’d still
like to know more about its distribution so if anyone does come across the plant
they can enter the detail of their findings on the SNH website
www.snh.org.uk/orchid2009/ .”
Lesser butterfly orchids grow on the edges of moorland or in damp grassland,
often along the edge of ditches or even on roadside verges. The slender white
flowers appear from early June through to mid-July. Surveys in recent years have
revealed the flower has declined, leaving the West of Scotland as the remaining
stronghold in the UK.
The orchid can still be spotted in a wide variety of habitats, particularly in
wet heath, bog, woodland edge, wet meadows, dunes, machair and the occasional
golf course. Some good sites have also been found in the East of Scotland and
four of the best Scottish sites had over 1000 flowering plants.
The Lesser Butterfly Orchid is one of 32 species listed for conservation under
Scotland’s Species Action Framework and is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan
species.
Jim McIntosh, BSBI Scottish Officer said:
“The short flowering season of the orchid and the general scarcity of
botanical experts mean we would struggle to achieve widespread coverage of the
areas where we would expect to find it. The website makes it possible for people
across the country to help by responding to this appeal and submitting their
records.”
Liz Lavery, who analyses the results each year for SNH, said: “The more
records we receive the better picture we have of its spread across Scotland and
records for 2009 from known sites, reported to us in previous years, means we
are able to see any changes in populations over the past twelve months.”
Please send any records of the orchid for the survey through the website at
www.snh.org.uk/orchid2009/
Or write to Lesser Butterfly Orchid Survey, SNH, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1
3EW.
Taic do chothroman ionnsachaidh
Taic do chothroman ionnsachaidh
cànain le Colmcille
Gheibh luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na h-Alba a tha airson Gaeilge na h-Eireann ionnsachadh agus a leithid eile bho thaobh thall Sruth na Maoile an cothrom cànain a’ chèile ionnsachadh agus a thoirt air adhart tro chùrsaichean a thèid a chumail anns an Eilean Sgitheanach agus an Ìle air an t-samhradh seo.
Tha na cùrsaichean, a bhios a’ frithealadh agus a’ togail air diofar ìrean cànain, ’gan cur air dòigh le Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus Ionad Chlm Cille an Ìle agus bidh iad a’ dol air adhart fad mhìosan an t-samhraidh. Tha taic airgid ’ga thairgse tro ghrantaichean bho phròiseict Cholmcille (a bha roimhe seo air ainmeachadh mar Iomairt Cholm Cille, ICC no an Columba Initiative), agus a tha a-nis a’ tighinn fo sgèith agus stiùireadh Bhòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge mar phàirt dhen obair aig an dà bhuidhinn ann an Alba agus Eireann.
Thuirt Oifigeach Leasachaidh Cholmcille an Alba Màiri Mhoireach: “Tha sinn airson cothrom a thort tro na cùrsaichean seo do dhaoine aig a bheil ìrean eadar-dhealaichte dhen dà sheòrsa Gàidhlig an sgilean còmhraidh is eile a thoirt air adhart anns a’ chànan eile mar gum biodh. Tha an seòrsa cùrsa seo a’ toirt fìor dheagh fhuasgladh dhuinn airson a bhith a’ brosnachadh iomairtean càch a’ chèile agus a bhith a’ togail air feumalachdan an dà chànain ann an Alba agus Eireann. Tha e a’ toirt togail dhan ìomhaigh aig an dà chànan air feadh Eireann agus ann an Alba. Tha ar cànan ’na dhualchas a tha ’gar ceangal agus ’gar tarrainn ri chèile agus mar is mò a bhios sinn an coluadar agus a’ co-obrachadh, ’s ann as fheàrr a tha cothrom gu bhith againn saoghal seasmhach a chur romhainn.”
Tha taic airgid ’ga thairgse do luchd-ionnsachaidh airson nan cùrsaichean agus cuid-oidhche (5 oidhche). Bidh cothrom ann cuideachd na h-uibhir de chuideachadh fhaighinn le cosgaisean siubhail. Ma tha luchd-ionnsachadih a’ fuireach ann an Alba, agus a’ còmhnaidh barrachd air 25 mìle bhon ionad ionnsachaidh, tha suas ri £25 ri fhaighinn. Taobh-muigh na h-Alba, ach taobh-staigh an UK agus Poblacht na h-Eireann, gheibhear suas gu £75. Gheibhear na cosgaisean air ais le dearbhadh cunntasan is cosgaisean an dèidh làimhe.
Ma tha luchd-ionnsachaidh a’ fuireach ann an Alba, agus nas sinne na 16 agus a’ cosnadh nas lugha na £18,000, tha cothrom air taic airgid suas gu £200 bho ILA Scotland. Ghiebhear barrachd fiosrachaidh mun sin bhon fheadhainn a tha a’ cur nan cùrsaichean air dòigh.
Tha barrachd fiosrachaidh mu na cùrsaichean le cinn-latha, ìrean cànain agus eile ri fhaotainn air an làrach-lìn: HYPERLINK "http://www.colmcille.net/" www.colmcille.net
Bu chòir iarrtasan-taice a chur a-staigh ro Dihaoine 03 Iuchair aig 5 uairean feasgar. Seach nach eil ach na h-uibhir de thabhartasan rin toirt seachad, bu chòir fios a chur a-staigh cho luath sa ghabhas.
Colmcille promotes Gaelic and
language learning opportunities
Speakers of Scottish Gaelic who wish to learn Irish Gaelic and speakers of Irish Gaelic who wish to learn Scottish Gaelic are being offered the chance to share in each other’s linguistic heritage through a series of summer courses in Skye and Islay this summer.
The courses, which will offer learners with a variety of levels of fluency the chance to enhance their skills, are being organised by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye and Ionad Chaluim Cille in Islay and will be held in throughout the summer months until September. Financial assistance through bursaries is being offered to support learners by the Colmcille project (formerly known as Iomairt Cholm Cille, ICC or the Columba Initiative), which is jointly managed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge as part of their mainstream activities in Scotland and Ireland.
Colmcille’s Scottish development officer Mairi Murray said: “The courses we are offering provide Gaelic and Gaeilge speakers the chance to come together to improve their skills in each other’s language. This kind of initiative is the perfect platform for us to develop our activities jointly to promote the use of the Gaelic languages, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, in and between Ireland and Scotland. It helps us to raise awareness of the shared Gaelic heritage, language and culture of Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Our common language is the shared heritage we all want to use to build a sustainable future and the more we can engage with each other in this way, the further we can take that shared heritage together.”
Financial assistance is available to learners to cover tuition fees for the courses and accommodation for the duration (5 nights). A contribution can also be made towards travelling costs. For residents of Scotland, living more than 25 miles away from the course venue, up to £25 is available. For those outside Scotland, but within the UK and Republic of Ireland, up to £75 is available. This is payable at the end of the course on production of receipts showing expenditure.
Residents of Scotland, aged 16 and over who earn less than £18,000 or who are on benefits, may be entitled to support of £200 from ILA Scotland. Please contact the course provider in the first instance.
Application forms for the courses and full details of the various levels, including dates and other arrangements are available at HYPERLINK "http://www.colmcille.net/" www.colmcille.net
The closing date for applications is Friday, 03 July at 5.00pm. However, as bursary numbers are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis, it is recommended that learners submit applications as soon as possible.
SNH and Marine Renewable Energy
SNH to play its full part in developing marine renewable energy
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is to consider how it can help developers tap
into the economic potential of marine energy resources.
A paper to the organisation’s Board on Tuesday (16th June) suggests how it
can contribute to a programme of research to develop Scotland’s potential for
marine renewable energy.
This programme, led by Marine Scotland’s Marine Energy Spatial Planning Group
(MESPG), will help fill current knowledge gaps about the links between tidal
energy devices and the marine environment.
The best way to prepare for larger-scale developments will be by filling gaps
in research, and monitoring single or small developments to test the notion that
any impact of the technology will be insignificant. SNH will ensure that
assessments and surveys are carried out appropriately.
Interest in deploying tidal turbines is currently believed to be greater in
Scottish waters than elsewhere. These waters are important for Scotland’s
economy and for the country’s wildlife.
Dominic Counsell, head of SNH’s coastal and marine unit, said: “Combating
climate change, by means of renewable energy generation, will produce real gains
for Scotland’s natural environment. It is important that Scotland has a
strategic approach to developing the sector that meets the aspirations of the
industry and the needs of the marine environment. Our role is to help Ministers
and developers achieve this.”
He added: “I think we can be very optimistic about Scotland’s potential
for marine renewable energy, and that this sector can be developed in harmony
with marine wildlife.”
One project SNH is funding is looking at the potential effects of a small scale
tidal device in the Isle of May Special Area for Conservation. SNH is also
supporting monitoring of the wildlife around the European Marine Energy Centre
wave and tidal test facilities in Orkney and contributing to wider work in the
Pentland Firth. The organisation has also commissioned additional work this
year including research into the interactions between tidal turbines and marine
wildlife.
In addition, the Scottish Government is researching the use of acoustic devices
to warn marine mammals of renewable energy devices, and assessing collision
risks between harbour porpoises and marine energy equipment. Additional studies
managed by MESPG include the preparation of a draft Marine Spatial Plan for the
Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters and the drafting of guidance for developers, on
Environmental Impact Assessment and wildlife monitoring.
SNH’s role often involves helping developers to enhance their plans or apply
suitable mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to an acceptable level.
Six new specialist advisers are being recruited into SNH in order to meet
increasing demand for this service from the marine energy sector.
The SNH Board’s discussion will focus on the environmental issues likely to
face marine energy developers and what approaches SNH should take to help
address these.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is to consider how it can help developers tap
into the economic potential of marine energy resources.
A paper to the organisation’s Board on Tuesday (16th June) suggests how it
can contribute to a programme of research to develop Scotland’s potential for
marine renewable energy.
This programme, led by Marine Scotland’s Marine Energy Spatial Planning Group
(MESPG), will help fill current knowledge gaps about the links between tidal
energy devices and the marine environment.
The best way to prepare for larger-scale developments will be by filling gaps
in research, and monitoring single or small developments to test the notion that
any impact of the technology will be insignificant. SNH will ensure that
assessments and surveys are carried out appropriately.
Interest in deploying tidal turbines is currently believed to be greater in
Scottish waters than elsewhere. These waters are important for Scotland’s
economy and for the country’s wildlife.
Dominic Counsell, head of SNH’s coastal and marine unit, said: “Combating
climate change, by means of renewable energy generation, will produce real gains
for Scotland’s natural environment. It is important that Scotland has a
strategic approach to developing the sector that meets the aspirations of the
industry and the needs of the marine environment. Our role is to help Ministers
and developers achieve this.”
He added: “I think we can be very optimistic about Scotland’s potential
for marine renewable energy, and that this sector can be developed in harmony
with marine wildlife.”
One project SNH is funding is looking at the potential effects of a small scale
tidal device in the Isle of May Special Area for Conservation. SNH is also
supporting monitoring of the wildlife around the European Marine Energy Centre
wave and tidal test facilities in Orkney and contributing to wider work in the
Pentland Firth. The organisation has also commissioned additional work this
year including research into the interactions between tidal turbines and marine
wildlife.
In addition, the Scottish Government is researching the use of acoustic devices
to warn marine mammals of renewable energy devices, and assessing collision
risks between harbour porpoises and marine energy equipment. Additional studies
managed by MESPG include the preparation of a draft Marine Spatial Plan for the
Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters and the drafting of guidance for developers, on
Environmental Impact Assessment and wildlife monitoring.
SNH’s role often involves helping developers to enhance their plans or apply
suitable mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to an acceptable level.
Six new specialist advisers are being recruited into SNH in order to meet
increasing demand for this service from the marine energy sector.
The SNH Board’s discussion will focus on the environmental issues likely to
face marine energy developers and what approaches SNH should take to help
address these.
An SNH report on the decline in Scottish Seabird numbers
Decline in Scotland’s seabird numbers
A new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) reveals that Scotland’s
seabird numbers fell by 19% between 2000 and 2008.
The major cause of these declines is almost certainly a shortage of food due to
a drop in the number of small fish, such as sandeels. These fish are likely
being affected by rising sea temperatures because of climate change.
Lower fish numbers lead to lower numbers of adult birds surviving from one year
to the next, and not enough chicks being produced and surviving to replace them.
A range of measures has already been put in place to help address pressures on
the seabirds. Voluntary reduction in sandeel fisheries means that very little if
any sandeel fishing now takes place within foraging ranges of seabirds
especially kittiwakes, a species which saw a particularly sharp drop in
numbers.
Intensive trapping of predators, such as the brown rat and the non-native
American mink, is also being carried out in various parts of the Scottish
coastline and islands. This is to reduce the extent to which these species take
seabird eggs and chicks.
Importantly, the Scottish Government’s Marine Bill, launched this spring,
includes measures to improve marine nature conservation to safeguard and protect
Scotland’s unique marine species and habitats.
Professor Colin Galbraith, SNH Director of Policy and Advice, said: “While
it’s always disappointing to witness declines in important species, we are not
entirely surprised at these findings. That’s why various measures are already
in place to improve the situation for seabirds. After several decades of
increasing seabird abundance, we are now witnessing a period of decline. Key
reasons are likely to be linked to food availability, weather, and predation. In
particular, climate change appears to have affected plankton abundance at the
base of the food web.”
He added: “It is important that we are now able to monitor seabird numbers
much more effectively than in the past, to inform policy and action. We need to
keep a close eye on seabird trends and try to understand what is driving them.
What is clear is that the overall decline has not worsened over the past
year.”
Scotland is home to around four million breeding seabirds of 24 species. The
recent drop in numbers follows two decades of occasional years of poor breeding
- but poor years have happened more often and with more severity since 2000.
Recent declines are greater in species that feed on shoals of small fish, such
as lesser sandeels: for instance, there are now 55% fewer black-legged kittiwake
and 71% fewer Arctic skuas breeding in Scotland than in the mid 1980s. Arctic
terns declined by 26% over the same period.
There are some winners, however. Great skuas, which have a varied diet - from
other seabirds to scavenging fishery waste at sea - have increased dramatically
since the mid 1980s, and razorbills increased by 47% over the same period.
Declines have been greater in areas such as the Northern Isles and down the
east coast. This is largely because sandeels have declined and there are fewer
alternative prey.
Deryk Shaw, Warden of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory in Shetland, said:
“Breeding kittiwake numbers have been falling for many years now and there
was no reprieve in 2008. A whole island count for the Fair Isle found that the
number of nests is only half of that counted as recently as 2005 with many birds
just standing on bare ledges.”
In comparison, seabirds along the west coast of Scotland and further south in
the Irish Sea rely less on sandeels and take more sprat and herring. These areas
have not suffered the same declines of sandeels as seen in the North Sea.
On the island of Canna, rats were eradicated in 2005/6. Richard Luxmoore, of
National Trust for Scotland, which manages the island, said: “Since we removed
the rats, numbers of species such as European shags and Atlantic puffins have
started to increase after several years of decline, though there is a long way
to go to full recovery.”
A concurrent report by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the UK
Government’s advisor on nature conservation, revealed a UK-wide decline of 9%
since 2000.
Dr. Matt Parsons from JNCC, one of the JNCC report’s authors, said:
“These latest figures on breeding numbers demonstrate what a massive effect
these poor seasons have had on the UK seabird population. They represent a
‘turning of the tide’ for seabirds breeding in Scotland, which increased
in number from the late 1960s to the end of the 1990s.”
The Scottish Seabird Indicator is part of a suite of biodiversity indicators
(http://www.snh.org.uk/trends/trends_notes/pdf/B377378.pdfSF) which are used to
assess the state of Scotland’s biodiversity.
A new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) reveals that Scotland’s
seabird numbers fell by 19% between 2000 and 2008.
The major cause of these declines is almost certainly a shortage of food due to
a drop in the number of small fish, such as sandeels. These fish are likely
being affected by rising sea temperatures because of climate change.
Lower fish numbers lead to lower numbers of adult birds surviving from one year
to the next, and not enough chicks being produced and surviving to replace them.
A range of measures has already been put in place to help address pressures on
the seabirds. Voluntary reduction in sandeel fisheries means that very little if
any sandeel fishing now takes place within foraging ranges of seabirds
especially kittiwakes, a species which saw a particularly sharp drop in
numbers.
Intensive trapping of predators, such as the brown rat and the non-native
American mink, is also being carried out in various parts of the Scottish
coastline and islands. This is to reduce the extent to which these species take
seabird eggs and chicks.
Importantly, the Scottish Government’s Marine Bill, launched this spring,
includes measures to improve marine nature conservation to safeguard and protect
Scotland’s unique marine species and habitats.
Professor Colin Galbraith, SNH Director of Policy and Advice, said: “While
it’s always disappointing to witness declines in important species, we are not
entirely surprised at these findings. That’s why various measures are already
in place to improve the situation for seabirds. After several decades of
increasing seabird abundance, we are now witnessing a period of decline. Key
reasons are likely to be linked to food availability, weather, and predation. In
particular, climate change appears to have affected plankton abundance at the
base of the food web.”
He added: “It is important that we are now able to monitor seabird numbers
much more effectively than in the past, to inform policy and action. We need to
keep a close eye on seabird trends and try to understand what is driving them.
What is clear is that the overall decline has not worsened over the past
year.”
Scotland is home to around four million breeding seabirds of 24 species. The
recent drop in numbers follows two decades of occasional years of poor breeding
- but poor years have happened more often and with more severity since 2000.
Recent declines are greater in species that feed on shoals of small fish, such
as lesser sandeels: for instance, there are now 55% fewer black-legged kittiwake
and 71% fewer Arctic skuas breeding in Scotland than in the mid 1980s. Arctic
terns declined by 26% over the same period.
There are some winners, however. Great skuas, which have a varied diet - from
other seabirds to scavenging fishery waste at sea - have increased dramatically
since the mid 1980s, and razorbills increased by 47% over the same period.
Declines have been greater in areas such as the Northern Isles and down the
east coast. This is largely because sandeels have declined and there are fewer
alternative prey.
Deryk Shaw, Warden of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory in Shetland, said:
“Breeding kittiwake numbers have been falling for many years now and there
was no reprieve in 2008. A whole island count for the Fair Isle found that the
number of nests is only half of that counted as recently as 2005 with many birds
just standing on bare ledges.”
In comparison, seabirds along the west coast of Scotland and further south in
the Irish Sea rely less on sandeels and take more sprat and herring. These areas
have not suffered the same declines of sandeels as seen in the North Sea.
On the island of Canna, rats were eradicated in 2005/6. Richard Luxmoore, of
National Trust for Scotland, which manages the island, said: “Since we removed
the rats, numbers of species such as European shags and Atlantic puffins have
started to increase after several years of decline, though there is a long way
to go to full recovery.”
A concurrent report by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the UK
Government’s advisor on nature conservation, revealed a UK-wide decline of 9%
since 2000.
Dr. Matt Parsons from JNCC, one of the JNCC report’s authors, said:
“These latest figures on breeding numbers demonstrate what a massive effect
these poor seasons have had on the UK seabird population. They represent a
‘turning of the tide’ for seabirds breeding in Scotland, which increased
in number from the late 1960s to the end of the 1990s.”
The Scottish Seabird Indicator is part of a suite of biodiversity indicators
(http://www.snh.org.uk/trends/trends_notes/pdf/B377378.pdfSF) which are used to
assess the state of Scotland’s biodiversity.
NFUS on Spring Barley
WHISKY PROSPECTS TO DRIVE SPRING BARLEY FUTURE
The prospects for Scotland’s premier arable crop, spring malting barley, will come under the spotlight at the Highland Show next week. Malting quality barley is the key ingredient in the production of Scotch whisky.
With the whisky industry worth £3 billion to the Scottish economy, the world economic slowdown has cast a shadow over valuable export markets. Nervousness over future growth in sales of our national drink has filtered down to ground level where farmers, this season, have struggled to secure malting barley contracts with the trade.
An NFU Scotland seminar at the Highland Show will see the Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, Gavin Hewitt, outline the prospects for Scotch Whisky. The Seminar will take place in the President’s Marquee on Friday, 26 June at 10.00am to 11.00am and will also include a presentation from Susan Twining of ADAS on the impact that European legislation will have on the availability of plant protection products in the future.
In announcing this important event, NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops Committee Chair, John Picken said:
“The outlook for Scotch whisky is the single most important factor affecting the demand and price paid for Scottish malting barley. In the short term, poor planting conditions in the autumn means that the area of Scotland sown with spring barley is significantly up. Those currently growing spring barley crops will all be hoping to achieve a premium price this season if they meet the quality criteria for malting. Growers need to know the prospects for the market this autumn as well as hearing the long-term vision for the whisky sector in Scotland. The Scotch Whisky Association is ideally placed to provide growers with the necessary steer.
“In the future, various pieces of European-led legislation may have an impact on our ability to produce crops like spring barley and contribute to the production of food and drink in this country. Scotland’s mild, damp climate means that we need a wide armoury of plant protection products to ensure that we can grow crops to the best of our ability and in a responsible manner. Recently agreed European legislation on plant protection products will limit their availability and this could seriously affect both the cost and the viability of growing certain crops in Scotland. ADAS has recently compiled a report on the impact of the new legislation and that report will also be discussed at our seminar.”
“This is a hugely important seminar that could highlight the shape of Scotland’s arable production in the future and I would recommend it to any grower attending the show.”
Notes
· The NFU Scotland Combinable Crops Seminar will take place in the President’s Marquee at the Highland Show on Friday 26 June at 10.00am to 11.00am. The seminar will include a presentation on the outlook for Scotch Whisky from Gavin Hewitt, CEO, Scotch Whisky Association and a presentation on Plant Protection Product Availability from Susan Twining, ADAS.
· The seminar, organised in conjunction with HGCA, is open to all. Due to security surrounding the concurrent visit of her Majesty, The Queen, all those planning to attend the seminar must ensure that they have photographic ID, such as a passport or new style driving licence.
The prospects for Scotland’s premier arable crop, spring malting barley, will come under the spotlight at the Highland Show next week. Malting quality barley is the key ingredient in the production of Scotch whisky.
With the whisky industry worth £3 billion to the Scottish economy, the world economic slowdown has cast a shadow over valuable export markets. Nervousness over future growth in sales of our national drink has filtered down to ground level where farmers, this season, have struggled to secure malting barley contracts with the trade.
An NFU Scotland seminar at the Highland Show will see the Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, Gavin Hewitt, outline the prospects for Scotch Whisky. The Seminar will take place in the President’s Marquee on Friday, 26 June at 10.00am to 11.00am and will also include a presentation from Susan Twining of ADAS on the impact that European legislation will have on the availability of plant protection products in the future.
In announcing this important event, NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops Committee Chair, John Picken said:
“The outlook for Scotch whisky is the single most important factor affecting the demand and price paid for Scottish malting barley. In the short term, poor planting conditions in the autumn means that the area of Scotland sown with spring barley is significantly up. Those currently growing spring barley crops will all be hoping to achieve a premium price this season if they meet the quality criteria for malting. Growers need to know the prospects for the market this autumn as well as hearing the long-term vision for the whisky sector in Scotland. The Scotch Whisky Association is ideally placed to provide growers with the necessary steer.
“In the future, various pieces of European-led legislation may have an impact on our ability to produce crops like spring barley and contribute to the production of food and drink in this country. Scotland’s mild, damp climate means that we need a wide armoury of plant protection products to ensure that we can grow crops to the best of our ability and in a responsible manner. Recently agreed European legislation on plant protection products will limit their availability and this could seriously affect both the cost and the viability of growing certain crops in Scotland. ADAS has recently compiled a report on the impact of the new legislation and that report will also be discussed at our seminar.”
“This is a hugely important seminar that could highlight the shape of Scotland’s arable production in the future and I would recommend it to any grower attending the show.”
Notes
· The NFU Scotland Combinable Crops Seminar will take place in the President’s Marquee at the Highland Show on Friday 26 June at 10.00am to 11.00am. The seminar will include a presentation on the outlook for Scotch Whisky from Gavin Hewitt, CEO, Scotch Whisky Association and a presentation on Plant Protection Product Availability from Susan Twining, ADAS.
· The seminar, organised in conjunction with HGCA, is open to all. Due to security surrounding the concurrent visit of her Majesty, The Queen, all those planning to attend the seminar must ensure that they have photographic ID, such as a passport or new style driving licence.
Mather welcomes PhD posts at SAMS
UHI MILLENIUM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE
NEW DOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES
The announcement of six new PhD positions between SAMS at Oban and ERI
in Thurso all related to research into developments in the harnessing of
marine energy and its effect of the environment have been welcomed by
Argyll & Bute MSP Jim Mather.
Jim Mather said -
"It is always good to learn of additional employment opportunities
arising in the Highlands and Islands.
" I very much welcome this announcement from the SuperGen Marine Energy
Research Consortium indicating that the UHI Millennium Institute, "the
emergent university of the Highlands and Islands," has secured funding
from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF)to finance six new PhD positions covering six
projects, three at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) at
Dunstaffnage, Oban and three at the Environmental Research Institute
(ERI) at the North Highland College in Thurso. All these projects are
related to research into the effects of harnessing renewable energy from
the marine environment."
The designated projects, three from each organisation, will be from;
At SAMS, Oban
* Impacts of marine renewable energy structures on the
invasion of biofouling non-native species
* The impacts of offshore power production : mitigation
through habitat provision
* Close range interactions between marine vertebrates and
tidal stream turbines
* Offshore renewable energy structures as artificial
islands: implications for dispersal, population connectivity and
biogeography of coastal species
At the ERI, Thurso
* An integrated modelling framework for EIA of large-scale
arrays
* Radar as a tool for investigating Wave-Current
Interaction at marine Energy Sites
* Ecological impacts associated with renewable energy
devices in extreme marine environments
* Tidal Energy and matching of Supply and Demand over the
UK Grid
* Examining strategies for maximising use of Marine Energy
*********************************
Fuller information is available at www.sams.ac.uk and at www.eri.ac.uk
JIM MATHER MSP jim.mather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
NEW DOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES
The announcement of six new PhD positions between SAMS at Oban and ERI
in Thurso all related to research into developments in the harnessing of
marine energy and its effect of the environment have been welcomed by
Argyll & Bute MSP Jim Mather.
Jim Mather said -
"It is always good to learn of additional employment opportunities
arising in the Highlands and Islands.
" I very much welcome this announcement from the SuperGen Marine Energy
Research Consortium indicating that the UHI Millennium Institute, "the
emergent university of the Highlands and Islands," has secured funding
from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF)to finance six new PhD positions covering six
projects, three at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) at
Dunstaffnage, Oban and three at the Environmental Research Institute
(ERI) at the North Highland College in Thurso. All these projects are
related to research into the effects of harnessing renewable energy from
the marine environment."
The designated projects, three from each organisation, will be from;
At SAMS, Oban
* Impacts of marine renewable energy structures on the
invasion of biofouling non-native species
* The impacts of offshore power production : mitigation
through habitat provision
* Close range interactions between marine vertebrates and
tidal stream turbines
* Offshore renewable energy structures as artificial
islands: implications for dispersal, population connectivity and
biogeography of coastal species
At the ERI, Thurso
* An integrated modelling framework for EIA of large-scale
arrays
* Radar as a tool for investigating Wave-Current
Interaction at marine Energy Sites
* Ecological impacts associated with renewable energy
devices in extreme marine environments
* Tidal Energy and matching of Supply and Demand over the
UK Grid
* Examining strategies for maximising use of Marine Energy
*********************************
Fuller information is available at www.sams.ac.uk and at www.eri.ac.uk
JIM MATHER MSP jim.mather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
POSTPONEMENT OF NHS HIGHLAND ANNUAL REVIEW
POSTPONEMENT OF NHS HIGHLAND ANNUAL REVIEW
Due to the ongoing influenza A (H1N1) situation, the Scottish Government has decided to postpone NHS Highland’s Annual Review which had been planned for the 30th June in the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Dunbeg near Oban.
The Government has informed us that with the increased number of cases in some parts of Scotland including Argyll and Bute they felt that it was important that officials at all Scottish NHS Boards and the Scottish Government were totally focused on both securing frontline services and ensuring that public health is protected.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment that this may cause and alternative arrangements will be made for the event to take place at the earliest opportunity.
Garry Coutts, Chair of NHS Highland, said:
“I am disappointed that NHS Highland’s Annual Review has been postponed and I wish apologise to those members of the public who were hoping to participate on the day.
“We have been informed by the Government that they plan to reschedule the event later in the year and we will ensure that the public are given as much notice as possible.
Although the Annual Review is not proceeding as planned, local people are invited to meet members of the NHS Highland Board in the Lecture Room of Lorn & Islands Hospital at 12.30 hours on the 30th June 2009.
“We are keen to keep our commitment to the local community in Oban, and senior members of the Board and myself will be pleased to welcome people to a short public session.
This gives us the opportunity to feedback on our main achievements and challenges, and to respond to questions.”
Robin Currie on Crofting Bill meeting
The Scottish Government has recently published a draft Bill for Crofting. Some of the issues are not going down too well with crofters; such as issues of charging for regulatory matters and having the whole croft as security for a house.
It is also proposed that area committees be set up to draw up crofting policy and take regulatory decisions locally. In theory this seems fine but in reality in a place like Argyll, how many crofters could afford to spend the time and money on attending meetings on the mainland.
All these issues and others will be discussed at a meeting with officers from the Scottish Government next Thursday, 25th June, at Columba Centre at 7.30pm. This is important crafting legislation and all crofters are urged to attend.
TÌR IS TEANGA – LANDSCAPES AND LANGUAGES
TÌR IS TEANGA – EXPLORING HOW THE GAELIC LANGUAGE AND SCOTTISH LANDSCAPES DEFINE EACH OTHER
TÌR IS TEANGA – LANDSCAPES AND LANGUAGES
Tuesday 23 June, 6.55pm on BBC ALBA
Presenter Colin MacLeod dons his hiking boots to climb in some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Scotland; Assynt, Torridon, Kintail and the southern Cairngorms, in the series, Tìr is Teanga.
Dramatic landscapes are synonymous with the name Scotland and Tìr is Teanga explores the relationship between the Gaelic language and the hills and mountains, discovering how one defines the other.
The third programme in the series, focusing on the Deeside area, will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Tuesday 23 June at 6.55pm. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.
In this week’s programme, Colin MacLeod explores the spectacular hill country where the waters of the River Dee cascade for more than 50 miles from high up in the Cairngorms.
Lochnagar, described by Queen Victoria as “the jewel of all mountains here”, is a really beautiful hill with a fascinating place name history, and Ben A’an is one of the most unusual mountains in Scotland. Strange granite ‘tors’, each with their own stories and myths rise abruptly from the flat grasslands scattered along the length of the ridge.
Next week, Colin MacLeod will explore Glencoe with walking in Kintail and Glen Affric, in the next programme in the series to be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Tuesday 30 June at 6.55pm.
Tìr is Teanga was produced by Caledonia TV.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
FilmG winner goes Global
FILMG WINNER GOES GLOBAL
An acclaimed young director from North Uist has been invited to take part in two prestigious international film festivals this summer.
Uisdean Murray won the top award of ‘best professional film’ at MG ALBA’s 2008 FilmG award ceremony for his entry ‘Siubhlachan’ (Traveller), which has been selected for the two competitions.
The Time Film Festival is an international competition of short films taking place in Switzerland on June 19 and 20 and the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, taking place in South Korea on July 16 is the biggest genre film festival in Asia.
‘Siubhlachan’ (Traveller), an intriguing Gaelic short film, tells the poignant tale about a young girl, Seonag, who travels back in time to visit her recently deceased Grandfather. ‘Siubhlachan’ can be viewed online at www.uisdeanmurray.com
Director of ‘Siubhlachan’ was Uisdean Murray with credits to Lily Island Films, Sessions of the Mind (2008) Sweet Stained (2006) Photographic Trophy (2004) and Dating is Murder (2002).
‘Siubhlachan’ will be considered for several awards at both the Time Film Festival and the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, as well as being screened at Rutger Hauer’s Internet Contest section of his film festival ‘I’ve Seen Films’ (www.icfilms.org).
Uisdean Murray said: “I'm very proud of the film and all those that helped make it. It is a fantastic honour to be selected for such prestigious festivals and I am looking forward to promoting Siubhlachan to an international audience. I am currently developing the short film into a broadcast pilot for BBC ALBA.”
Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA said: “Siubhlachan is a gem. It encapsulates everything we hoped for from FilmG - an enthralling story told movingly with new on-screen talent. We wish Uisdean all the very best when he competes in these two major international film festivals in Switzerland and South Korea. Festival-goers are in for a treat when they see the film, and we hope they will see it as a showcase for the creative talent there is in the Gaelic television and film industry.”
MG ALBA’s FilmG is a valuable medium in opening up an array of prominent platforms for aspiring film makers both on the international stage and at home. International appeal was generated for ‘Siubhlachan’ as well as the winner of FilmG’s ‘best script’ category being entered into the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2009. FilmG entrants have also achieved local screenings across Scotland in community theatres, as well as participation in the Hi-Arts Screen Machine offering a mobile cinemas service to Scotland’s remote communities.
Potential entrants to FilmG 2009, when considering making a film, should be thinking about productions that will also appeal to a worldwide audience. More information is available on FilmG’s dedicated website www.filmg.co.uk.
HIE tells us how well it is doing
HIE has issued the following press release....
"Laying foundations for growth in the Highlands and Islands"
Modern industries including life sciences and renewable energy are making strong progress in the Highlands and Islands, according to the region's development agency.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has demonstrated a "highly productive" performance in its 2008/09 end-of-year results which were reviewed by board members this week.
The results set out the agency's achievements on key projects such as UHI, health science, renewable energy, inward investment and community land ownership. They also described HIE's performance in meeting the growth measures set by the Scottish Government, which focus on supporting high growth businesses and strengthening communities.
HIE chair William Roe commented: "These results chart a highly productive year for HIE, especially against the backdrop of the global economic downturn. We remain an ambitious organisation and many of our ongoing projects aim to place the Highlands and Islands in a competitive position in the global marketplace."
Among its principal achievements, HIE contributed significantly to attracting Welcon Towers to Machrihanish to develop a wind tower manufacturing facility, extending the site previously occupied by Vestas. HIE is investing £5.6million as part of a £40million investment.
In the past year, phases II and III of the Centre for Health Science (CfHS) were formally opened in Inverness. A total of 214 full time employees are now based within the Centre. The average salary is now recorded at £33,696 and there are currently 318 research projects being run in or administered from the CfHS.
Proposals for a marine science business park near Oban moved a step forward with outline planning consent being granted and the site for the park subsequently purchased. Construction has begun on a speculative science building at Forres Enterprise Park and HIE is pursuing a number of promising leads for tenants.
Reaching double the target, 60 community groups were supported to invest in renewable energy, including 33 larger scale, income generating projects.
Community Energy Scotland was officially launched in August 2008 with a ceremony held at the Scottish Parliament in October 2008, having taken over the work of Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC). Community Energy Scotland is an independent organisation with headquarters in Dingwall and has recently registered as a new Scottish Charity.
HICEC staff transferred Community Energy Scotland and have been joined by eight new staff to help cover its new Scotland-wide role.
HIE concluded a 12-year lease with Burntisland Fabrications Ltd for the main workshop at Arnish Point on Lewis. The business hopes to create 60-80 FTE jobs in the area within 2009, primarily through its renewable energy orders for offshore wind.
At the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, an overall funding package was agreed between partners (HIE, the Carbon Trust, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council) to enable the implementation of a five-year business plan. EMEC is currently carrying out capital works to improve offshore infrastructure, funded by a Scottish Government contribution of £1.45million which is expected to be completed by August 2009.
The Pentland Firth Project has become the leading marine energy regional initiative in Scotland. In September 2008, it was selected by The Crown Estate to be the only area in the UK able to offer commercial seabed leases. The Crown Estate received double the expected number of expressions of interest in the leases from businesses keen to tap into the firth’s immense energy potential.
In Caithness and Sutherland, a BT 'homeshoring' pilot project, enabling contact centre staff to work from home, created 15 new jobs. Morgan Stanley has also announced its intention to establish a data centre in Caithness with the potential to be a significant employer in the area, alongside local IT company, AlchemyPlus's plans to develop a £20million shared service and data centre facility in Inverness.
HIE has been working closely with the South Uist community since their purchase of the island's estate in 2006. A benefits realisation plan was completed for community company Stòras Uibhist in March 2008 and is now being implemented.
Led by HIE, plans for development of a 200-acre site at Beechwood, Inverness, to include a new campus for Inverness College, were significantly progressed this year. A master-planning exercise, undertaken by MAKE Architects and involving all key stakeholders, was concluded as planned in January 2009. The Inverness Campus planning application was submitted to Highland Council on schedule and a Campus Benefits Realisation Plan is now adopted for use.
Fás, the latest addition to Skye's Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, was opened by the First Minister in April 2008. It provides a state-of-the-art creative media environment, including a full broadcast-standard digital television recording studio, sound recording studio, theatre and post-production facilities.
Progress has been made in Lochaber to remove current constraints on land classification and make available more land for industrial development. It is likely the Local Plan will go to enquiry stage during summer 2009.
Lufthansa begins weekly flights operating from Inverness Airport to Dusseldorf from June to September 2009. The service will provide direct access between the Highlands and Islands and Germany for both leisure and business visitors, linking to Lufthansa's extensive global network.
HIE exceeded seven out of eight primary measure targets agreed with the Scottish Government for 2008/09 with outstanding results in raising the private sector earnings index for jobs it helped create - 75 per cent above target.
High growth businesses showed particularly encouraging out-turns with 158 account managed relationships established and 103 growth plans developed. A further 39 social enterprises now have growth plans out of 73 that HIE currently engages with.
In October 2008, the Scottish Government launched its Economic Recovery Programme to help boost development in Scotland. HIE launched its initial seven point economic recovery plan in December 2008 aimed at complimenting and building upon the nation actions outlined by the Scottish Government. The second phase of the HIE recovery plan has now been developed covering April 2009 to March 2010.
Mr Roe concluded: "We have recently launched our first Gaelic Language Plan, another example of using the unique elements of our region to help us strengthen the economy of the Highlands and Islands over the coming year.
"These results were won through the hard work and determination of staff across HIE. We will continue to realise the Government Economic Strategy and aim to exceed our targets set out for increasing sustainable economic growth in the Highlands and Islands over the coming year."
"Laying foundations for growth in the Highlands and Islands"
Modern industries including life sciences and renewable energy are making strong progress in the Highlands and Islands, according to the region's development agency.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has demonstrated a "highly productive" performance in its 2008/09 end-of-year results which were reviewed by board members this week.
The results set out the agency's achievements on key projects such as UHI, health science, renewable energy, inward investment and community land ownership. They also described HIE's performance in meeting the growth measures set by the Scottish Government, which focus on supporting high growth businesses and strengthening communities.
HIE chair William Roe commented: "These results chart a highly productive year for HIE, especially against the backdrop of the global economic downturn. We remain an ambitious organisation and many of our ongoing projects aim to place the Highlands and Islands in a competitive position in the global marketplace."
Among its principal achievements, HIE contributed significantly to attracting Welcon Towers to Machrihanish to develop a wind tower manufacturing facility, extending the site previously occupied by Vestas. HIE is investing £5.6million as part of a £40million investment.
In the past year, phases II and III of the Centre for Health Science (CfHS) were formally opened in Inverness. A total of 214 full time employees are now based within the Centre. The average salary is now recorded at £33,696 and there are currently 318 research projects being run in or administered from the CfHS.
Proposals for a marine science business park near Oban moved a step forward with outline planning consent being granted and the site for the park subsequently purchased. Construction has begun on a speculative science building at Forres Enterprise Park and HIE is pursuing a number of promising leads for tenants.
Reaching double the target, 60 community groups were supported to invest in renewable energy, including 33 larger scale, income generating projects.
Community Energy Scotland was officially launched in August 2008 with a ceremony held at the Scottish Parliament in October 2008, having taken over the work of Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC). Community Energy Scotland is an independent organisation with headquarters in Dingwall and has recently registered as a new Scottish Charity.
HICEC staff transferred Community Energy Scotland and have been joined by eight new staff to help cover its new Scotland-wide role.
HIE concluded a 12-year lease with Burntisland Fabrications Ltd for the main workshop at Arnish Point on Lewis. The business hopes to create 60-80 FTE jobs in the area within 2009, primarily through its renewable energy orders for offshore wind.
At the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, an overall funding package was agreed between partners (HIE, the Carbon Trust, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council) to enable the implementation of a five-year business plan. EMEC is currently carrying out capital works to improve offshore infrastructure, funded by a Scottish Government contribution of £1.45million which is expected to be completed by August 2009.
The Pentland Firth Project has become the leading marine energy regional initiative in Scotland. In September 2008, it was selected by The Crown Estate to be the only area in the UK able to offer commercial seabed leases. The Crown Estate received double the expected number of expressions of interest in the leases from businesses keen to tap into the firth’s immense energy potential.
In Caithness and Sutherland, a BT 'homeshoring' pilot project, enabling contact centre staff to work from home, created 15 new jobs. Morgan Stanley has also announced its intention to establish a data centre in Caithness with the potential to be a significant employer in the area, alongside local IT company, AlchemyPlus's plans to develop a £20million shared service and data centre facility in Inverness.
HIE has been working closely with the South Uist community since their purchase of the island's estate in 2006. A benefits realisation plan was completed for community company Stòras Uibhist in March 2008 and is now being implemented.
Led by HIE, plans for development of a 200-acre site at Beechwood, Inverness, to include a new campus for Inverness College, were significantly progressed this year. A master-planning exercise, undertaken by MAKE Architects and involving all key stakeholders, was concluded as planned in January 2009. The Inverness Campus planning application was submitted to Highland Council on schedule and a Campus Benefits Realisation Plan is now adopted for use.
Fás, the latest addition to Skye's Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, was opened by the First Minister in April 2008. It provides a state-of-the-art creative media environment, including a full broadcast-standard digital television recording studio, sound recording studio, theatre and post-production facilities.
Progress has been made in Lochaber to remove current constraints on land classification and make available more land for industrial development. It is likely the Local Plan will go to enquiry stage during summer 2009.
Lufthansa begins weekly flights operating from Inverness Airport to Dusseldorf from June to September 2009. The service will provide direct access between the Highlands and Islands and Germany for both leisure and business visitors, linking to Lufthansa's extensive global network.
HIE exceeded seven out of eight primary measure targets agreed with the Scottish Government for 2008/09 with outstanding results in raising the private sector earnings index for jobs it helped create - 75 per cent above target.
High growth businesses showed particularly encouraging out-turns with 158 account managed relationships established and 103 growth plans developed. A further 39 social enterprises now have growth plans out of 73 that HIE currently engages with.
In October 2008, the Scottish Government launched its Economic Recovery Programme to help boost development in Scotland. HIE launched its initial seven point economic recovery plan in December 2008 aimed at complimenting and building upon the nation actions outlined by the Scottish Government. The second phase of the HIE recovery plan has now been developed covering April 2009 to March 2010.
Mr Roe concluded: "We have recently launched our first Gaelic Language Plan, another example of using the unique elements of our region to help us strengthen the economy of the Highlands and Islands over the coming year.
"These results were won through the hard work and determination of staff across HIE. We will continue to realise the Government Economic Strategy and aim to exceed our targets set out for increasing sustainable economic growth in the Highlands and Islands over the coming year."
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