Smugglers & Astronauts
Posted on Friday, August 31 2007
I had the pleasure this week of being at the opening of the Glenlivet Smugglers Trails which was a fantastic experience that promotes three of Moray's greatest assets, whisky, walking facilities and beautiful scenery. Those involved in the project have done a fantastic job and their efforts should be rewarded with a host of visitors anxious to discover the trails. I also recently enjoyed a fantastic lecture by Visit Scotland's Scenario Planner Professor Ian Yeoman. The lecture took place at the Horizons Scotland building at the Forres Enterprise and was on the potential of Moray, and more specifically Lossiemouth, as a base for commercial space flights. The idea has received substantial press coverage and has the potential to turn Moray into on of the world's best known destinations. The first thing I would say about the possibility is that there has been concern in some quarters at the idea that Lossiemouth might become Cape Canaveral with huge rockets taking off for space trips. The reality is more (pardon the pun) down to earth. The launch vehicle being developed by Virgin Galactic is a custom built aircraft that carries the actual spacecraft underneath. The carrier craft flies to a high altitude, drops the spacecraft which then ignites its rockets and continues into the stratosphere. It is still a spectacular sight but hopefully this reassures those with concerns about rockets taking off. We are in effect talking about 1 extra plane taking off from a base that has hundreds of flights a week. That aside the development opportunities that such a project could bring to Moray are huge, with valuable technology industries being a significant possibility on top of the huge boost it would give tourism. Not so much from the few space travellers but from the thousands who want to see the spacecraft being sent on its way. There is a major opportunity to be had and the interest shown in last week's lecture is certainly the proof of that. Where we go from here is now the question. The national conversation on the future of Scotland continues apace with the announcement recently that there had been tens of thousands of hits on the Scottish Government's website.
ANNIVERSARY OF NIMROD TRAGEDY
Posted on Friday, August 31 2007
LOCAL MP CALLS INQUIRY DELAYS A ‘DISGRACE’ Ahead of the one year anniversary of the Nimrod tragedy (Sunday 2nd September 2007), local SNP MP Angus Robertson has described the delayed inquiries into the crash a ‘disgrace’.Both the MOD Board of Inquiry (BOI) and the Coroners Inquest have yet to report into the crash of Nimrod XV230. The 37 year-old aircraft came down near Kandahar airport during a reconnaissance flight on September 2, 2006 killing 14 military personnel in the UK’s worst single loss of life since the Falklands War.The MP who represents the Nimrod home base RAF Kinloss, and is SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson MP said:“One year on from the terrible Nimrod tragedy everybody’s thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives,“Sadly they are having had to wait far too long to receive answers to many questions. Only the MOD Board of Inquiry and Coroners Inquest can answer these questions and a 12 month wait is a disgrace.“Publication dates have been put back and put back, and the Ministry of Defence should get on with it.“We have just been reminded about the terrible sacrifice many servicemen and women have to make, with the death in the last few days of an RAF gunner also close to Kandahar in Afghanistan. “At this time people in Moray are thinking of our locally based service personnel and we expect the government to fulfill their duty of care.ENDS
DEATH OF RAF LOSSIEMOUTH SERVICEMAN IN AFGHANISTAN
Posted on Thursday, August 30 2007
LOCAL MP ANGUS ROBERTSON EXTENDS CONDOLENCESMoray MP Angus Robertson has extended his condolences to the family and friends of the locally stationed RAF serviceman who has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a gunner from 51 Squadron was killed in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, shortly after midnight local time (2030 BST). Personnel from the squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, were on a routine security patrol when one of its vehicles was caught in an explosion. Next of kin have been informed. Two other servicemen were hurt. SNP Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP, whose Moray constituency contains RAF Lossiemouth, said:“This is terribly sad news. Everybody’s thoughts go out to the family and friends of the serviceman who died.“The death of someone stationed locally at RAF Lossiemouth brings home the risks our brave service personnel face on operations. “News of this fatality comes almost one year to the day since the Nimrod from RAF Kinloss crashed near Kandahar killing 14 people aboard.“People in the Moray service community have been touched by tragedy and they have every sympathy and support from their non-military neighbours." ENDS
MORAY MP COMMENTS ON OPENING OF GLENLIVET SMUGGLERS TRAILS
Posted on Wednesday, August 29 2007
Moray MP Angus Robertson who attended the opening of the Glenlivet Smugglers Trails today has commented on the significance of the project. The SNP's Mr Robertson said: " It is astonishing to think that at one time there were around 200 illicit stills in the Glenlivet area. The story of the constant conflict between whisky smugglers and the excise men of the time is full of intrigue and is one that will appeal to peoples sense of adventure. " The walks themselves provide a contrast between the danger of the illicit whisky trade and the tranquility of the scenery, flora and fauna that makes Glenlivet such a beautiful place to visit. " I am delighted to be able to help promote this attraction which gives a fantastic experience for walkers of different abilities and also for those with an interest in the whisky industry, or indeed those like me who enjoy both pursuits!" Ends.
ROBERTSON SEARCHES FOR BEST RURAL RETAILER 2007
Posted on Monday, August 27 2007
Member of Parliament for Moray, Mr Angus Robertson, is encouraging constituents to nominate businesses in rural Moray for the Best Rural Retailer Award 2007. This award is run by the Countryside Alliance and has one simple aim: to recognise and celebrate the UK 's small independent retailers who are ambassadors, not just for local produce, but also for the communities to which they are central.Mr Robertson said of the competition:"Do you know someone who goes the extra mile for their community? Who is an ambassador for local produce, or keeping the traditions of the countryside alive?"This competition has captured the hearts and minds of the public, retailers and the media and last year over 2000 nominations were made. The exciting urban, rural and agricultural mix of Moray makes it the perfect place for dynamic rural retailers to operate. In our constituency we are lucky to have a great number of producers of a wide range of meats and agricultural produce as well as small independent retailers which provide the backbone of rural life. "Anyone can nominate in any one or more of four categories:-Best Local Food Retailer- Best Village Shop / Post Office -Best Diversification - Best Traditional Business "Please give our rural businesses a boost and nominate your best Rural Retailer 2007. Nomination forms can be found online at www.bestruralretailer.co.uk"
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