Highland Tourism Community Interest Company (HTCIC) has announced the launch of a new partnership with the renewables sector in Scotland
Business leaders from the renewable energy and tourism sectors attended the launch event on Thursday, 3 August, at Inverness Town House.
The event was hosted by Kate Forbes MSP in what was her first official engagement as an HTCIC Ambassador.
The new group, Highland Renewables, brings together two key economic sectors of the Highlands to create a relationship that will benefit people living and working in the region and communities.
Highland Renewables’ founding partners are GreenPower, BayWa r.e. and Low Carbon.
Yvonne Crook, Chair of Highland Tourism CIC said: “We are delighted to welcome Highland Renewables as a strategic partner.
“Renewable energy projects invest millions of pounds into the Highlands and Islands region, and it is important that we continue to develop relationships between the tourism and renewables sectors in order to realise the great potential they both offer.
“We all have to work and live in the Highlands.
“Collaborative working and increasing investment aligned to developing the Highlands as a premium destination with significant investment in our environment will ensure a more sustainable future.”
Kate Forbes MSP said: “The need to transition to net zero presents Highland communities with considerable economic and environmental opportunities.
“We have great natural resources and enterprising communities.
“There is a unique opportunity to marry the opportunities of tourism and energy through this partnership.”
Stuart Davidson, Head of Wind Development at BayWa r.e. UK Ltd., said: “We are delighted to join Highland Renewables.
“As we at BayWa r.e. progress the development of our Corriegarth 2 Wind Farm project near Gorthleck, we are committed to supporting the Highlands and its unique tourism industry.
“Renewable energy projects bring a host of benefits to local economies, and we are extremely excited to see the renewables sector contributing so positively towards the visitor experience of the Highlands and its beautiful scenery, rich history and second-to-none recreational opportunities.”
Since its inception in March 2021, Highland Tourism CIC has 150 ambassadors and is working in partnership with 16 communities and a range of public sector partners.
The CIC has had private sector investment to the value of £400,000, of which £150,000 comes from founding sponsorship from Tomatin Distillery.