Politics Matters by former Highland MSP and Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber MP David Stewart: why a vibrant economic development agency is so important to the Highlands
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Congrats to Stuart Black on his appointment as chief executive to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Stuart takes up the post in January and will be an experienced and talented leader.
Over my two decades in national public life in the Highlands, I needed no convincing of the importance of a vibrant economic development agency for our area.
HIE was the offspring of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB), set up by visionary Scottish secretary Willie Ross in 1965.
He was concerned about depopulation in the Highlands and Islands – especially the loss of young people, leaving the area for jobs, education or the bright city lights of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and beyond.
The new board was not only charged with improving the economic and social conditions for our area but ensuring that local communities played their role on the national stage.
The board’s first chairman, Sir Robert Grieve, had a very simple yardstick for success – building up and sustaining population particularly in our islands and fragile rural areas. The 1971 census saw the first increase in Highland population in more than a century.
HIDB was not perfect – it had its share of failures – but its inception by government was a recognition that the special circumstances of the geography, economic and social make-up of the Highlands and Islands needed a special solution.
HIE is an important and key player in the economic and social regeneration of the area. Best wishes to Stuart Black and his excellent team as he prepares to pick up the torch in the new year.
n Along with many readers, I danced a wee jig at home when I heard that America had opened its borders to travellers from Scotland.
My son Andrew is working in the state capital in California and it has been two years since we met up. However, all sorted!
Flights and hotel booked and major family reunion next year. He is waiting for an American scientific visa and if successful, we might even see him and his doctor girlfriend in the early new year.
n I was out for lunch at the excellent Café One last week when I ran into football legends Billy Urquhart and David Milroy.
Billy was a star for the Caley in the Highland League before being signed by John Greig for Rangers. He spent a year at Wigan Athletic before returning to Inverness to play for Caley again.
David was long-standing skipper of Inverness Thistle – a dedicated club man who played more than 900 games for the side.
Dave was a club coach for Caley Thistle and has remained a supporter since its inception.
Both Billy and Dave are football legends in the north.
n Big pat on the back for the organisers of Drive-In Cinema taking place at the Caledonian Stadium at the end of the month.
What a great event for a family day out. I hope they plan to run my Christmas favourite, It’s A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart – won’t be a dry eye in the house!
