Tourism Webinars

Leading experts in tourism have been invited by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to deliver a series of free online masterclasses to help companies across the region to grow and improve their performance. The live internet presentations will bring together some of the best in tourism businesses who will share their insights and give practical tips on how to capitalise on Scotland’s tourism growth markets during the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. The first 45 minute presentation focuses on sailing and will be presented by Charmain Entwhistle, Isle of Skye Yachts, and Anne Gracie from the Duisdale Hotel, Isle of Skye at 9:30am on Wednesday 24 October. Evidence suggests that our landscape, scenery, islands, culture and heritage are a major factor in bringing people to Scotland. The series of online masterclasses – also known as webinars - will highlight what it all means for businesses looking to capitalise on this opportunity during 2013 and beyond. Sailing attracts large numbers of visitors and is becoming more accessible in terms of opportunities and costs. It has become so popular that in many areas the demand for berths and moorings is exceeding the capacity and the number of visitors keeps growing. The presentations will be full of practical hints, tips and ideas to help them make the most of the year-round opportunities for their businesses. The webinar series will be broadcasted live every Wednesday at 9:30am for the next eight weeks, each time presented by an expert in the tourism industry on a different subject. Those who register for the webinar will have the opportunity to ask questions beforehand with a view to having them discussed during the live presentations. Audrey Maclennan, Senior Tourism Manager at HIE, said: “Companies are being urged to take advantage of these opportunities for their businesses and are encouraged to take part in these webinars which will be full of practical tips. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how other businesses have successfully attracted more customers and improved their bottom line.” HIE is funding the series of webinars with support from Forestry Commission Scotland. Other in-kind support has been received from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Wild Scotland and SNH. To register for each event visit www.hie.co.uk/tourism-webinars Ends Sailing 24 October Mountain Biking 31 October Wildlife 7 November Golf 14 November Adventure 21 November Walking 28 November Food and Drink 5 December Technology 12 December

DAVID MACBRAYNE GROUP PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12

The David MacBrayne Group, Scotland’s principal operator of domestic ferry services, has revealed that it paid back £5.8m to Government as a result of efficiency savings in the last financial year and increased its operating profitability by 19% to £3.8m. The figures were published in the group’s annual report which was laid before the Scottish Parliament today (October 12, 2012). The Group’s subsidiaries include CalMac Ferries Ltd, NorthLink Ferries Ltd and Argyll Ferries Ltd. Group Chairman Peter Timms said: “As recipients of significant amounts of public funding we take our responsibility to provide value for money to the taxpayer very seriously so it was very pleasing to report that our ongoing efforts to improve efficiency both internally and in collaboration with colleagues at Transport Scotland has resulted in just under £6m being returned to the Scottish Government as part of a contractual “clawback” payment.” The report highlighted: • The David MacBrayne Group carried 5.2m passengers, 1.1m cars and 1.5 million freight metres – a 5% decrease in passengers and the same for cars, but a 6% increase in freight, on the previous year. • Grants received from the Scottish Government rose by nearly 20% compared with the previous year to £121.8m, mainly due to increased fuel costs and support for Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) fares on Western Isles routes. · Clawback paid to Scottish Government as a result of efficiencies increased by 33% to £5.8m • The group recorded an operating profit for 2011/12 before interest and tax of £3.8m, an increase of 19% on the prior year, increasing the group’s retained reserves. Mr Timms said: “2011/2012 was a year of highs and lows. Among the high points was winning the tender to provide the ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon, while losing the Northern Isles services to another operator after serving Orkney and Shetland for nearly 10 years was a major disappointment and I wish to take this opportunity of thanking our crew and staff for their commitment and hard work which saw carryings on these routes significantly increase during our period of operation.” Mr Timms said that the drop in passenger and car traffic was disappointing:“These figures reflect carryings across the group, and the impact on individual routes will vary enormously, with some doing better than others depending on local circumstances such as major building projects. That said, overall our feeling is that a combination of factors have contributed to a general decrease in traffic including fewer people travelling due to the economic downturn, higher fuel costs and poor weather.” Looking to the future Mr Timms said he welcomed the interim contract to extend CalMac’s current contract to 2016 and said that the company intended utilising this period to further improve services: “Our commitment to customer service was recognised recently by the award of the “Best Ferry Company” in the Guardian and Observer Travel Awards for the third year in a row, however there are a number of further improvements we would like to make to the customer experience such as updated ticketing systems and improved online booking. We will now push ahead and make these improvements as soon as possible and look forward to working with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to further develop our services to best meet the needs of island and rural communities.” The Annual Report of the David MacBrayne Group is available on the internet at www.david-macbrayne.co.uk/reports.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 20 October – Friday 26 October 2012

Title: SPL Dundee Utd v Aberdeen The latest full-match coverage from the Scottish Premier League as Dundee United host Aberdeen at Tannadice. Transmitted: Saturday 20 October Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm Title: Trusadh Là an Dalai / Dalai Day The Highlands of Scotland aren't top choice for most travelling World leaders but in June 2012, the city of Inverness found a living hero in its midst. An exiled Tibetan Buddhist monk turned globe-trotting Man of Peace.... Là an Dalai - Dalai Day is a heart warming tribute to the day His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to town, to give one his most intimate ever public talks. The Spiritual leader and former Head of State for Tibet fled to India the 1950s when communist china invaded. He'd longed to visit the Highlands since childhood but had never made it beyond Edinburgh. We meet the tour organisers as they explore the challenges logistics of transporting a famous holy man and spend time with Zen and Zany highlanders as they prepare an occasion to remember. From Buddhist ceremonies to a rather unusual dog collar, it's an unexpected and colourful gathering. An insight into Scotland's growing Buddhist community, the programme also explores the historic role of the Dalai Lama, whose peaceful appeal for Tibet's cultural and spiritual independence is now supported by millions worldwide, striking a particular note with Scots. Transmitted: Monday 22 October Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Cuide Ri Cathy / Scottish Celebrities – Gregor Fisher Scottish actor Gregor Fisher and Cathy MacDonald visit the Athenaeum Theatre in Glasgow where the Rab C Nesbitt star's career began. Transmitted: Monday 22 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Buskers In a brand new series, Buskers opens the door to an often misunderstood lifestyle with fascinating anecdotes and performances from the famous and those still striving for fame! Featured this week are Kassidy, Krystina Miles and busker Matt Johnston. Transmitted: Monday 22 October Time: 10.30 – 11.00pm Title: The Grounds – An Gearradh Chruaidh The Castle Grounds of Stornoway in the Isle of Lewis is a park land of over 6000 acres, the centre piece of which is the historic Lews Castle. Once the indulgence of island lairds, today the lands are owned and used by islanders, having been gifted to the people of Stornoway by the last resident of the Castle - the infamous Lord Leverhulme. From gentle walks and golf to car rallies and music festivals, the Castle Grounds is used by a host of people for a host of reasons. The park, or "the Grounds" are held in huge affection by the people of Stornoway and are a great surprise for visitors to the town. Run by a community trust which is elected by the townsfolk, the acres of ancients trees , shrubs, pathways and formal gardens are managed by a hardy team of groundsmen and estate workers. Through four seasons, cameras stayed with the grounds, the users and the workers to chart a year in this treasure of a park. Transmitted: Tuesday 23 October Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Siuthad! Siubhal! Go! Explore! This week Emma and Pluto are in Aberdeenshire where they go wild in the woods, attempt axe-throwing and try some beer that is more like a whisky. Transmitted: Thursday 25 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: PRO12 Live Rugby – Edinburgh v Scarlets Live PRO12 rugby action as Edinburgh host Scarlets at Murrayfield Stadium. Transmitted: Friday 26 October Time: 7.30 – 9.25pm

UNION URGES SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE ELIGIBLE LAND UNCERTAINTY

NFU Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to proactively devise a new system to determine what land is eligible to receive public support. With CAP Reform gathering momentum, the opportunity exists to put in place a new set of rules that takes a more pragmatic approach to land deemed suitable for grazing and cropping. Issues raised by EU auditors in 2010 saw the Scottish Government apply more rigorous eligibility criteria to land and, as a result, many Scottish farmers have fallen foul of the rules when inspected. It has also resulted in penalties being imposed retrospectively on some claimants. NFU Scotland supports a new system that allows producers to consolidate their support payments onto the area of their land deemed to be eligible. It also supports producers having the option to move to gradient rather than flat mapping of eligible land. Finally, it asks that maps also take into account the grazing that beaches and coastlines provide for livestock in island areas. In a letter to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller wrote: “As a result of the EU audit, the changes in the criteria which determine land eligibility for support payments and how soft landscape features like bracken and gorse should be treated for claim purposes has created a great deal of uncertainty within the farming community. “Despite many producers being proactive in checking the accuracy of the information provided to them by Scottish Government on their field data sheets and deducting ineligible features from previously defined areas, inspections continue to reveal errors and trigger penalties. The deductions in eligible areas are, in some cases, being applied not just for a single scheme year but also retrospectively to the three previous claimed years. “The definition of eligible land is key to the future of agricultural support and it is now imperative that systems are put in place to recognise Scotland’s diverse landscape and avoid increasing conflict which could erode the viability of many units. It is important that the Scottish Government is proactive in developing workable eligibility standards. “In our view, the present penalty system is disproportionate and with support payments in Scotland currently being determined by historic coupled payments, the enforcement and penalties are, in many cases, unfair. Some form of consolidation option would break this destructive cycle and would be of value not just to Scotland but to other parts of the UK and the EU. “Land eligibility and the definition and mapping of ineligible features like bracken, scree or gorse, will continue to be a trip wire post CAP Reform. The European Parliament is being asked to consider tolerances or a coefficient in the new CAP rules to allow a level of flexibility that recognises some ineligible areas may be found within rough grazing and permanent pasture. “That approach will reduce mapping complexity, avoid unnecessary auditing costs, avoid inappropriate penalties and protect soft features which deliver ecological benefit. I hope the Scottish Government will be proactive in supporting this amendment and commit to introducing this flexibility under the reform process. “The impact at farm level of determining what is and isn’t eligible land may be minimised if the total landscape area is taken into account. With rock, scree and wet areas all now having to be assessed and mapped, it should be an option for claimants to take slope into account in defining the eligible area of a land parcel. “Clearly, in some landscapes, the gradients will more than balance ineligible features. We accept that Scottish Government IACS mapping should be provided on a ‘flat’ basis but, in line with other parts of the UK, the option for producers to utilise physical or gradient mapping should be available. If accepted, then those deemed in breach on land eligibility should have enforcement action frozen until the option to upgrade to physical mapping is considered. “The other area where Scottish Government must intervene is in the assessment of beach and tidal zones. These areas clearly are not pasture but the seaweed provides a critical grazing resource and can be fundamental to island sheep systems. That provides a strong case for these areas to be deemed eligible.”

HIE appoints director to lead on broadband and digital economy

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is stepping up its efforts to ensure that businesses and communities across the region are able to harness the benefits of digital communications, including next generation broadband (NGB). Stuart Robertson, currently the development agency's Head of Digital and Broadband, as well as its Area Manager for Shetland, is to take on a new, dedicated role as Director of Digital Highlands and Islands. The appointment signals HIE's commitment both to rolling out the telecoms infrastructure to deliver next generation broadband to every part of the region, and promoting the important role digital technology will play in the coming years to grow businesses and strengthen communities. Chief Executive Alex Paterson said the post had been created to provide greater focus and leadership to unlock the region's potential in the global digital economy. "The economic future of the Highlands and Islands is digital," said Mr Paterson. "Technology is an enabler, touching every sector of society, from private businesses to public service providers, and underpinning our ability to compete with other regions and countries around the world. "As well as establishing the infrastructure, HIE is working to help businesses gain the understanding and skills they need to harness the power of new digital technology to drive economic growth. "NGB will be a game changer, and HIE has been leading the drive to secure access for all parts of the Highlands and Islands for some years now. "It's a fact of life that the telecoms companies won't invest in sparsely populated areas where they'll be unable to make a profit, so public support is essential to ensure that rural and island communities don't get left behind. "Rollout has already started to happen in some communities and we want to help accelerate that process and spread it out to reach every community. "Stuart's appointment will provide the expertise and focus we need to drive this project forward effectively over the coming years, and I'm delighted we've been able to appoint him to this vital role." HIE established a Digital team in 2010, and has succeeded in attracting very substantial public investment for next generation broadband. The Scottish Government announced in June this year that £120m had been allocated for infrastructure funding. A further £5m was allocated in August to establish Community Broadband Scotland, to be administered by HIE and support projects across the country from 2013. With regional NGB rollout costs estimated at £200-300m, the agency is seeking major private sector co-investment and is currently in dialogue with BT, as the final phase of a Europe-wide procurement exercise. All going well, HIE expects to reach agreement with BT by the end of 2012, which will enable rollout to get under way on schedule next year. Mr Robertson said he was delighted to be appointed as HIE's Director of Digital Highlands and Islands. "It's very exciting to be part of a project which will have lasting impact and deliver benefits to people across more than half of Scotland," he said. "HIE has spelt out our commitment to help achieve Scotland's 2015 and 2020 targets for broadband, and we've already made encouraging progress in attracting high levels of investment. "Creating the conditions for a digital Highlands and Islands isn't all about infrastructure. It's also about making sure our businesses and communities are able to reap the full benefits which digital technology can offer. "There are some serious challenges which the region has to face in the years ahead – technical, geographical and financial hurdles which we need to find ways to overcome. "However the prize of a truly digital region, able to compete internationally, attract new investment and support a broad range of modern businesses, is well worth fighting for. "I'm really looking forward to working with colleagues across HIE and with partners in national and local government and the private sector to make the vision of a digital region a reality." Rachel Hunter, currently Senior Development Manager with HIE in Shetland, will take on the role of Acting Area Manager while a permanent successor to Mr Robertson is recruited. Stuart Robertson was born and brought up in Lerwick in Shetland. After graduating from the University of Aberdeen he worked for BP Exploration in Shetland and Aberdeen. He left BP in 1991 to complete an MBA at Strathclyde Graduate Business School, Glasgow, where his MBA thesis was an evaluation of the pioneering Highlands and Islands Telecommunications Project for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. He joined HIE in 1993 and since then has been involved in all HIE’s telecoms development activities. In 2009 he was appointed as the agency's Area Manager for Shetland. Stuart is married with four sons.

NFU Scotland is calling for a moratorium on species reintroduction in Scotland.

In its response to the Scottish Government consultation on the 2020 challenge for Scotland’s biodiversity, NFU Scotland stated that there should be no further reintroductions until current species related impacts are resolved. Based on experience, it believes a moratorium should be put in place until assurances can be given regarding the long-term management and funding of new reintroductions. Issues relating to funding and managing the impacts of other species on economically vulnerable farms and crofts also need to be resolved. The comments are made in light of member concerns over the reintroduction of species such as beavers and sea eagles, the illegal release of beavers into the wild and reduced funding levels being offered to those managing Scotland’s growing geese populations. Jamie Mellor, a member of NFU Scotland’s Environment and Land Use Committee and the Union’s representative on the National Species Reintroduction Forum said: “Given the symbiotic relationship between biodiversity and farming, there is an urgent need to take stock of the impact that existing re-introductions and species management schemes are having before any further steps are taken. “NFU Scotland firmly believes there should be no further reintroductions until current species-related impacts are resolved and assurances can be given regarding the long-term management and funding of new reintroductions. “In recent times we have had members worried over the loss of lambs to sea eagles; the official trial looking at the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland has been undermined by their illegal release in Tayside and funding levels to those asked to manage goose numbers have been cut. That has happened at a time when goose numbers have soared and their impact on farmland increased. “The biodiversity consultation also refers to a code for re-establishing species. We recently welcomed the publication of a report, commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), at the request of the Scotland’s National Species Reintroduction Forum, to help inform debate about the future management of reintroduced species. “That report should form the base around which any code is developed. It would be essential that it takes account of the interests of land managers and sets out clearly the criteria around how these reintroduced species should be managed. “Funding issues also need to be factored in to any such plans. Restrictions on public finances have meant insufficient budget to properly support land managers affected by existing legal and illegal reintroductions, as well as those affected by other species, such as geese. It is fair that appropriate and accessible funding is made available to vulnerable farms and crofts to manage the impact that species can have on their livelihoods.” NFU Scotland’s President Nigel Miller added: “It is appropriate to take a long term look at how we preserve and maintain Scotland’s biodiversity. Experience suggests we need a more sophisticated conservation effort in the future, focused on securing balance between Scotland’s ecology and land management. The days of exclusively focusing on a flagship species should be left behind if we are to protect our iconic heritage and fragile rural economies.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 13 October – Friday 19 October 2012

Title: Balaich Ronaigh Two teenage boys bored with summer holidays find themselves far from family and home. Calum and his cousin Murdo from Glasgow take a joy-ride on a power boat which leads to an unforgettable adventure. Transmitted: Saturday 13 October Time: 6.40 – 7.30pm Title: Ramsdens Cup Semi-final - Cowdenbeath v Partick Thistle Live action as Cowdenbeath welcome Partick Thistle to Central Park in the semi -final of the Ramsdens Cup. Transmitted: Sunday 14 October Time: 4.00 – 6.05pm Title: Mòd na Cloinne/Children's Mòd Mary Ann Kennedy presents some of the winning performances from the main stage in Dunoon on the first day of the children's Mod. Transmitted: Monday 15 October Time: 8.30 – 10.00pm Title: Cuide ri Cathy/Scottish Celebrities - Keith Duffy Boyzone singer and Coronation Street actor Keith Duffy welcomes Cathy MacDonald to Galway where he is performing in the play Big Maggie. Transmitted: Monday 15 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Mòd na Cloinne/Children's Mòd Mary Ann Kennedy welcomes you to a concert featuring some of the prize-winners from the second day of the children's Mòd. Transmitted: Tuesday 16 October Time: 8.30 – 10.00pm Title: Mòd 2012: Mod Dhun Omhainn Join Mary Ann Kennedy and special guests as they recount favourite Mod moments along with song performances from some of today's competition winners. Transmitted: Wednesday 17 October Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Moladh na Maighdinn Two mountains, two poets and 250 years of changing attitudes to the Highland landscape are the elements of this intriguingly different film. The mountains are Beinn Dorain in Argyll and A' Mhaighdinn in the Fisherfields "wilderness" of Wester Ross. The poets are Duncan Ban MacIntyre and Domhnall UIlleam Stewart who take on both the physical challenges of A' Mhaighdinn, one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful Munros and the even more considerable creative challenge involved in writing a contemporary poem in tribute to Duncan Ban's 18th century masterpiece "In praise of Beinn Dorain." Transmitted: Wednesday 17 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Mòd - Traditional Gold Medal Mary Ann Kennedy presents live coverage of the traditional gold medal competition for singing from the Royal National Mod in Dunoon. Transmitted: Thursday 18 October Time: 7.30 – 9.00pm Title: Siuthad Siubhail! Pluto and Emma are in Belfast and go at full-pelt in the woods, take a memorable taxi tour and meet X-Factor star Janet Devlin. Transmitted: Thursday 18 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Mòd - Final Prizewinners Mary Ann Kennedy introduces the main choral winners of the day from the final prize-winners' concert from the Dunoon Royal National Mod. Transmitted: Friday 19 October Time: 8.30 – 10.00pm Title: Scottish Premier League - Dundee v Inverness CT ‘As live’ action from the Scottish Premier League as Dundee host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Dens Park, Dundee. Transmitted: Friday 19 October Time: 10.00 – 11.59pm