Scotland continues to 'lead the world' in marine energy, says HIE Chairman

Scotland, and in particular the Highlands and Islands, is leading the world in the development of marine energy devices – according to the Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Professor Lorne Crerar is addressing energy industry and public sector professionals at the annual Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference at Eden Court, Inverness today (Tuesday 18 September). The two-day conference has attracted 250 delegates and 40 exhibitors from the marine renewables industry. Professor Crerar said: “Scotland – and the Highlands and Islands in particular – are truly leading the world in marine energy development and deployment. "The coastlines around Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Argyll have some of the best natural resources in the world and they are all playing host to marine developers. The recent launch of Scotland's first marine energy park in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters recognises the huge potential in the north of Scotland.” Already, more than 25 marine energy leases have been awarded in Scotland and the coming years will see leading companies deploying the first wave and tidal arrays as the industry moves towards commercialisation of new technologies. The planned electricity output of the Scottish leases is over 1.6GW – more than Peterhead power station. More wave and tidal energy devices are currently deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney than at any other single site in the world. Scotland also has more marine energy projects under way or in planning than any other country. Scotland is home to some of the most advanced wave and tidal technology developers in the world, including Pelamis Wave Power, Aquamarine Power, Voith Hydro Wavegen, AWS Ocean Energy and Scotrenewables. In addition to the launch of the country's first marine energy park, other recent Scottish developments include: The announcement of the second round of WATERS (Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support) £7.9 million funding to further develop testing of wave and tidal prototypes in the seas around Scotland The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has agreed contracts for all its wave and tidal test berths and has seen a recent flurry of development activity The launch of the Grand Challenge phase of the £10m Saltire Prize The world’s first community-owned tidal turbine which is to be manufactured in Renfrew and deployed in Shetland. Professor Crerar added: “When you reflect on what is being achieved by our small country in terms of world-leading, commercial-scale wave and tidal energy developments and cutting-edge research and skills programmes, you realise that we have progressed from being on the cusp of a marine energy revolution, to actually living it. "Now we need to ensure that we secure lasting benefits for Scotland’s economy and communities – a legacy that will provide a sustainable energy source for our future generations.” Key players from the world of marine energy attending the conference include Aquatera Ltd, Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance (ABRA), Caithness Renewables Ltd, Kongsberg Maritime Ltd and Marine Scotland. Delegates are able to meet developers and manufacturers who make up the supply chain in Scotland and further afield, and to take part in workshops looking at how to maximise collaboration and support growth of the marine energy sector. Practical actions for the supply chain will be outlined, including opportunities to expand into the renewables sector and attract investors. The two days will also reflect the current challenges facing those working in marine renewables including grid, finance, infrastructure and skills. Neil Kermode, Managing Director at EMEC will also speak at the conference today, he said: “Orkney has taken a global lead in the evolution of wave and tidal energy technologies for more than a decade. At EMEC, we are already witnessing a huge increase in developer activity – all 14 test berths are committed and large utilities and industrial companies are progressing towards commercial scale projects. “This is a fast changing and globally important sector which Scotland is currently leading. The challenge for all of us is to maintain that lead and convert it into commercial opportunities which will drive economic growth.” Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Inverness is the perfect location for those in the marine renewables sector to come together and discuss how we lay the foundations for the future of this technology because the Highlands and Islands are where a lot of the expertise in this industry and connected industries lie. "The conference will also be an opportunity to celebrate the milestones this industry has achieved while debating many of the challenges we must overcome to maintain our advantage and realise our ambitions.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlig ag aithris air an t-soirbheachadh ann an 2011/12 agus a’ coimhead air adhart ri 2012/13

Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air an Aithisg Bhliadhnail airson na bliadhna ionmhais 2011/12 a chur fa chomhair na Pàrlamaid agus air a foillseachadh an-diugh, a’ togail air raon fharsaing de thaic ionmhasail is gnìomhach do choimhearsnachdan, buidhnean agus daoine fa leth air feadh Alba. Chaidh maoineachadh a bhuileachadh air 256 tagraiche gu h-iomlan, a’ gabhail a-steach 70 tabhartas do sgeamaichean Tràth-Bhliadhnaichean is Foghlaim agus 186 tabhartas do bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd, buidhnean Ealain agus buidhnean poblach a’ gnìomhachadh Phlanaichean Gàidhlig. Tha an Aithisg Bhliadhnail mar aon de na sgrìobhainnean conaltraidh ro-innleachdail as cudromaiche don bhuidheann, a’ mìneachadh na tha a’ bhuidheann air a choileanadh sa bhliadhna a dh’fhalbh agus a’ coimhead air adhart ris a’ bhliadhna a tha ri teachd. A’ togail air na coileanaidhean a tha air am mìneachadh san aithisg, thuirt Cathraiche Eadar-amail Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Ealasaid Nic an t-Saoir: “Is ann le toileachadh a tha sinn comasach air Aithisg Bhliadhnail na bliadhna seo a chur fa chomhair Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, an dèidh ainm a chuir rithe air 19 Òg-mhios, a’ daingneachadh an adhartais nach beag a tha ri fhaicinn sa Bhòrd thar na bliadhna a chaidh seachad. Tha an ùine seo air a bhith glè dhùbhlanach don Bhòrd ann an liubhairt ar prògram ghnìomhachdan àbhaisteach a thuilleadh air a bhith a’ cruthachadh am Plana Cànain Nàiseanta Gàidhlig ùr, ach a dh’aindeoin sin tha iad air an dearbhadh soirbheachail. A’ coimhead thar nan trì roinnean sa bhuidheann, tha an Aithisg a’ toirt iomradh air gnìomhachdan a tha a’ taisbeanadh tòiseachadh barraichte a dh’ionnsaigh liubhairt a’ Phlana Cànain Nàiseanta Gàidhlig agus a’ comharrachadh nan raointean air am bithear a’ cuimseachadh gu sònraichte sa bhliadhna a tha romhainn.” Mar a h-uile buidheann a tha a’ faotainn maoineachadh poblach, tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air a sgrùdadh gu cunbhalach a-muigh agus a-staigh. Tha seo a’ cumail suas agus a’ neartachadh riaghladh air an taobh a-staigh agus aig an aon àm a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil a’ bhuidheann a’ leantainn air adhart a’ cosg mhaoinean gu h-èifeachdach. Is e Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ chiad bhuidheann poblach air a sgrùdadh le Sgrùdadh Alba a chuir ainm ri Aithisg Bhliadhnail agus Cunntasan am bhliadhna, gu dà-chànanach. Thuirt an t-Àrd-Sgrùdaire aig Sgrùdadh Alba, Asif Haseeb: “’S e urram a th’ ann dhomh agus tha mi fìor thoilichte m’ ainm-sgrìobhte a chur ris an tionndadh Ghàidhlig den teisteanas sgrùdaidh. ’S e seo a’ chiad uair do Sgrùdadh Alba; ’s e aon de na prìomhachasan as cudromaiche a th’ againn a bhith a’ cumail bhuidhnean poblach cunntachail agus a’ dèanamh sin gu poblach, agus tha foillseachadh ann an Gàidhlig is Beurla a’ cur taic ris an seo. Tha e a’ fàgail ar n-obair agus ar toraidhean so-ruigsinneach do dhiofar raointean den choimhearsnachd agus tha e a’ cur taic ri ar dealais a thaobh aithneachadh agus dèanamh luaidh air iomadachd na h-Alba.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 4 August – Friday 10 August 2012

Title: Live Shinty - Camanachd bheo/Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Semi-Final Inveraray v Kinlochshiel - live shinty with Hugh Dan MacLennan. The first of the 2012 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Semi Finals to determine who will contest the sport's blue riband event in Oban on September 15. Inveraray, cup winners in 2004 at Oban, versus Kinlochshiel, making their first ever appearance in the semi-final. Transmitted: Saturday 4 August Time: 4.00 – 6.00pm Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music Sessions World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West and Scots singer Shona Donaldson are among the guests. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before. Transmitted: Saturday 4 August Time: 9.00 – 9.30pm Title: Belladrum 2012: Cridhe Tartan Live Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival coverage hosted by Fiona MacKenzie, Niall Iain MacDonald and Sarah Cruickshank. Coverage starts on Friday 3 August and continues to Sunday 5 August. Transmitted: Saturday 4 August Time: 9.30 – 11.30pm Title: Belladrum 2012: Cridhe Tartan A look back at the weekend action from Belladrum. Main stage highlights and unseen performances from Belladrum, Tartan Heart Festival 2012. Hosted by Fiona MacKenzie, Niall Iain MacDonald and Sarah Cruickshank. Produced by Donna L. Murchison. Transmitted: Sunday 5 August Time: 10.30pm – 12 midnight Title: Dileas: Working Horses An insight into equestrian sport in Scotland; competing at Blair Atholl Horse Trials, and in the Le TREC Kelly Marks Winter Series. Transmitted: Monday 6 August Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

BLUE BADGE CHANGES DUE

ARGYLL and Bute Council’s 4,300 blue badge holders are being alerted to significant changes in the way that applications for the disabled parking permits are assessed. From 1 September the UK government is introducing significant changes to the process for assessing eligibility for a blue badge. The changes will affect customers who are not automatically entitled to a blue badge through qualifying benefits, and who are applying under discretionary criteria such as ‘unable or virtually unable to walk’. Up to 56 per cent of applications currently fall into this category. At the moment GPs provide medical assessment under discretionary criteria – but from September, independent mobility assessments (IMAs) will be introduced to provide more consistency and objectivity. IMAs must be carried out by qualified practitioners. Customers in Argyll and Bute who require an IMA will now be referred by the council to NHS occupational therapists trained in assessing mobility needs. Initial applications should still be made to Argyll and Bute Council, either in person at a customer service point, by post or online. Only applicants who do not automatically qualify for a blue badge will be referred to the NHS. However, this process may take up to eight weeks if the NHS requires a face to face assessment before making a decision. To ensure that customers will not be left without a badge and to allow for the longer processing time, Argyll and Bute Council is accepting renewal applications up to eight weeks before the expiry date of the existing blue badge. In addition, the council will also accept applications under the existing GP assessment system for badges expiring before 1 October. These applications, completed with GP support, should be submitted before 1 September. All applications submitted after that date must, by law, be assessed under the IMA procedure. There will also be a new appeals system for customers whose application is refused following an IMA. Argyll and Bute Council is writing to all customers whose blue badges expire before 1 October so that they are aware of the new arrangements. There is also information on the council’s website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/bluebadgechanges and within customer service points. Social work and NHS staff will also be able to assist customers with the new process. The blue badge application fee will remain set at £20 and will be refunded if no badge is awarded after assessment.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 28 July – Friday 3 August 2012

Title: Live Shinty – Camanachd Bheo / Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final Live shinty with Hugh Dan MacLennan from Beauly, near Inverness. Badenoch rivals Kingussie and Newtonmore clash for just the third time ever in the final of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup. The Junior championship of Scotland. Transmitted: Saturday 28 July Time: 4.00 – 6.00pm Title: Horo Ghealaidh / Celtic Music Sessions World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, Cedric Watson with Creole and Zydeco music, Highland based band Cruinn, Mindy Smith with music from Tennessee and Ana Moura with a taste of Europe. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before. Transmitted: Saturday 28 July Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Dileas – Working Horses New series observing ways in which the famous Scottish Clydesdales, and the iconic Shetland ponies are put to use today. Transmitted: Monday 30 July Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Ullaidhean – Museum of Islay Life Derek MacKay and Kirsty MacDonald scour Scotland's museums in search of fascinating artefacts and the stories behind them. In this programme they explore the treasures of the Museum of Islay Life. Transmitted: Wednesday 1 August Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Soillse – Ionnsigh na Muir-teachd Invasion of the Jellyfish There are billions of them and their numbers are growing by the day. From Japan to Australia, China, the USA and Europe the seas are being taken over by...... jellyfish. What are the consequences of this upsurge and how it can be halted - or turned into profit? Transmitted: Wednesday 1 August Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm Title: Donny B – The Original King of Daytime Another chance to see Donny B, an hour long documentary film that tells the inspirational story of the writer and broadcaster Donny B Macleod and his journey from a small Hebridean town to the Hollywood homes of the rich and famous. It studies a life work grounded not only in a vast knowledge that grew out of his voracious appetite for reading, but also his deep humanity and unaffected personality. This film delves into the rich archive of Donny's programmes, films and writings. It also looks at the fascinating life that he led before embarking on his broadcasting career - including an eye-catching spell as a school teacher and a famous, charisma fuelled, general election campaign. Narrated by Patsi Mackenzie and featuring contributions from family, colleagues and celebrity friends - including musician Aly Bain and journalist Angus Macleod of The Times. Donny B is the story of a man of vast talent and radiant personality, one that affected the ordinary and the famous equally, and treated them all with the same respect. Transmitted: Thursday 2 August Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Belladrum 2012: Cridhe Tartan Live Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival coverage hosted by Fiona MacKenzie, Niall Iain MacDonald and Sarah Cruickshank. Coverage continues on Saturday 4 August. Transmitted: Friday 3 August Time: 9.30 – 11.30pm

Farmers and Crofters Reminded the Argyll and the Islands Survey Still Seeks their Views.

Scottish Agricultural College News Release. Farmers, crofters and land managers are being urged to complete the Survey recently sent out by SAC on behalf of the Argyll and Isles Agricultural Forum the regional partnership, set up to raise awareness of their concerns. The aim is to identify the level of confidence of agricultural businesses in the area and learn more about their future needs. The survey was issued last month and the response has been excellent to date, but there are many more opinions out there. Development Manager for the Forum, Fergus Younger says: “We want to catch as many different views as possible and gain a better understanding of farmers and crofters future intentions. Only then can this information be used with any authority by the forum, or when lobbying Government to develop initiatives that benefit the area.” Organisations on the Argyll and the Islands Agricultural Forum include farming, crofting and landowners bodies like NFUS, SCF and Scottish Land and Estates. There are conservation groups like RSPB Scotland, as well as local authorities, development agencies and advisers, such as SAC and SAOS, who encourage co operation. The last survey was completed nine years ago and much has happened since then. One of the main local consultants involved in producing this report, SAC’s Oban-based Robert Logan, notes; “This is an appropriate time to be seeking an update on producers’ thoughts and aspirations due to the period that has lapsed since the last report and the changes since then. We now face even more change with subsidy reform, strengthening Sterling, rising inflation and transport costs, so it is even more important to understand what those in the industry are thinking. “ Farmers and crofters are asked to continue sending in their completed Surveys using the pre-paid stamped addressed envelope provided. They can even opt to enter a prize draw for a crate of Fyne Beer! Any farmer or crofter who has not received a survey is also asked to contact their local NFUS or SAC office. The more surveys that are returned, the more confidence can be taken that the summary results reflects the consensus and used to achieve maximum benefit for the area.

HIE consults public on broadband coverage Issued: 13 July 2012 With the rollout of superfast broadband across the Highlands and Islands looking set to begin next year, the region's development agency is launching a public consultation on current levels of service. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is asking broadband providers to confirm any plans they may have to upgrade to superfast, and seeking information from local people and businesses about the quality of their current service. HIE aims to ensure that superfast broadband – delivering speeds of 30 megabits per second (Mbps) or more – is available to everyone in the region by 2020, with significant progress made by 2015. Last month, the Scottish Government announced a £120m investment package to back the agency's ambitions. HIE is also seeking co-investment from the private sector, as well as local authorities and the European Union, and has estimated that the total project cost may exceed £200m. Negotiations between the enterprise agency and BT, as the potential industry partner, are well advanced, following a competitive tender exercise launched last year. Assuming a successful conclusion, the partners' first action will be to agree a definitive plan of how the region should benefit from the first phase of superfast rollout, starting in 2013. Last year, HIE published a provisional list of 50 settlements, located throughout the region, which appeared to offer the best potential to introduce the service quickly to a mix of remote mainland and island communities and larger centres. The present consultation aims to test the accuracy of the information HIE currently holds about current and future broadband provision, and inform discussions leading to a detailed rollout plan. Stuart Robertson, the agency's Head of Digital, says it is vitally important that such a huge investment is carefully targeted to achieve best value and impact. "This is probably the largest rural broadband project anywhere in Europe at present," he said. "We've been very successful so far in securing a substantial amount of the funding we need to make it happen. Now we want to make sure we have the most up to date information, both from customers and suppliers, to inform final decisions on rollout. "It's important we know where private providers are considering investing in upgrades so we can ensure there's no risk of duplication. "At the same time, we want members of the public to let us know if the information we hold on current provision is accurate, particularly with regard to download and upload speeds." Broadband is currently available to around 99 per cent of the Highlands and Islands population. However, average speeds are well below the UK average of 7.6Mbps, with many places only capable of receiving a maximum 0.5Mbps. HIE's project will make 2Mbps the minimum speed available anywhere in the region by 2015, with most places experiencing a much faster service. The Highlands and Islands covers more than half of Scotland, yet is home to just eight per cent of the country's population, so the private sector could not be expected to deliver superfast broadband without significant public investment. For more information, and to take part in the consultation, which runs until 13 August, please visit www.hie.co.uk/digital/consultation.html