Weekly update, 20th & 27th November

Energy & business services:
• Delighted to hear that SeaCat Services, the operators of the crew transfer vessels that will support both construction and operations work for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm (BOWL) project, had a good level of interest at its recruitment event in Wick last week. SeaCat is seeking suitably qualified candidates for roles such as Master, Mate and Deckhand, and I understand that several applications are now being taken forward. http://www.seacatservices.co.uk/wick/
• A new website featuring energy sector capabilities of Scottish ports has been launched by British Ports Association, with support from Scottish Enterprise and CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Harbours at Wick and Scrabster are two of the 26 ports already featured in this online directory. http://energy.scottishports.org.uk/

Tourism, Food & Drink:
• Heritage GB and Natural Retreats have announced an updated masterplan for future phases of work at John O’Groats. The two companies worked together on the programme of work that led to the £6M redevelopment of the area around the former John O’ Groats Hotel into an award-winning complex of accommodation that has helped stimulate a number of other business starts in the area. The development was supported by CNSRP partner HIE. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Expansion-masterplan-next-phase-is-unveiled-30112017.htm
• Digital Tourism Scotland is a partnership that includes CNSRP partners Highland Council/ Business Gateway, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government. It will be sponsoring a briefing session in Thurso this month on the subject of “The future of digital tourism and online booking”. Aimed at tourism businesses, it is free to attend, and will take place in Caithness Horizons on 12th December. Businesses wishing to book a place should visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/digital-tourism-briefing-future-of-digital-tourism-online-booking-caithness-sutherland-tickets-39009969870

Communications:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP’s partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress. This week:

• Scottish Provincial Press continues its impressive run of Energy North supplements under Alan Hendry’s editorship: this month it carries a further mix of stories on key projects and issues such as Beatrice Offshore Windfarm (with Wick Harbour Authority’s Willie Watt calling its lease agreement with BOWL “the best news Wick harbour has had in 100 years”). Read more at http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=7cfaf622-c7a9-4f04-b839-af61e6bfa8c6