​‘Constructive’ talks with Scotland Office for Highland

Highland Council’s Leader Cllr Margaret Davidson and Director of Development and Infrastructure Stuart Black had a constructive meeting this week (Monday 3 October) with UK Government Minister, Andrew Dunlop at the Scotland Office in London.

Cllr Davidson said: “We had a very constructive and amiable meeting with Lord Dunlop in London during which we discussed updates on progress with the City-Region Deal; the digitisation of health care; reclaimed land at the Inverness Longman site, Tourism, Brexit and the food and drink sector.

“We had a discussion on promoting tourism in the Highlands and how Visit Britain could be encouraged to work more with Visit Scotland to build upon the success of the Visit Loch Ness Campaign and how this could be expanded to promote such as the North Coast NC500 marketing campaign.”

She added: “We also explored, at the meeting, how the Scotland Office could support and work closely with the Scottish Government on developing export opportunities for the Highland Food and Drink Sector.

“The implications of Brexit and how it will impact on the Highland economy were raised and we also re-enforced the need for the Scotland Office’s support concerning Fort George - under current MOD reviews - be retained as a working barracks.

“Finally we requested and confirmed that the Scotland Office would continue to facilitate meetings on Emergency Towing Vessels (ETV’s) so that we can discuss the protection and care of our western and northern coastal waters.”