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Latest news from the Western Islands
GModeller funded and launched
Lewis based GreenspaceLive, a software tools business, and the first company to spin out from University of the Highlands and Islands, has secured a seed funding package of £270,000.
Scotland needs ETV tugs
The Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) tug support for The Minch, the west coast and the Western Isles was withdrawn from service on cost grounds by the UK government. But ForArgyll records that a cargo boat grounded 10.45pm on 19th March on an island off North Uist highlights the very urgent need for ETV protection to be reinstated.
Islay and Fair Isle quakes
It's an uneasy sensation when the earth moves beneath your feet. 2012 leap year day was memorable for whisky famous Islay, when a 2.8-magnitude quake struck the north of the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, at 9.14am, followed by a 2.1-magnitude quake at 9.25am. It was the latest of six to hit the Hebridean island in February, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS).
Prof Lorne Crerar chairs H&IE
Professor Crerar is a founding partner and chairman of Scottish commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP, offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness and held the part-time Chair of Banking Law at Glasgow University since 1997.He was formerly deputy chairman of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and one of three chairmen of the Housing Improvement Task Force which in 2002 completed its work.
Energy: Oyster wave array
As opposition to the encroaching wind turbines increases, some help may be around the corner for the Scottish coastline as power generated by an arrangement of "near-shore" wave devices should soon be feeding into the National Grid for the first time in Scotland.
Bitter opposition to key wind farms
As Donald Trump with his Balmenie course development violently contests the plan for an offshore 11-turbine test farm in view of the Menie resort, saying private assurances were made that it would not get permission, the stooshie is being spread by Tiree Array campaigners desperately protesting "death by 180 to 300 turbines" for Tiree, and drawing the proposed Methil site into the action with some (below) turbine height graphics
Can 2012 undersea Scotland beat 2011 rarities?
A rare species of fish described as “faceless and brainless” was among the unusual finds made by marine scientists off Britain’s coast during 2011, according to a recent Scottish government report. Amphioxuus is a prehistoric species, reaching two inches length and with no fins, recorded off Orkney.
Call for ETVs to remain
Reprieve of the coastguard stations at Stornoway in the Western Isles and Kirkwall in Orkney has not reprieved the tugs - the Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) based in those waters and due to be axed at the end of the month.
Chinook pilots vindicated
Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper should not have been blamed for gross negligence for the Chinook crash in 1994, and the term might have been better applied to those who ordered the finding.
Mapping west coast waters
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and a six partner organisation (the Scottish Marine Institute (SAMS), Northern Lighthouse Board, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute, Galway, and Hydrographic Survey (INIS Hydro) are to collaboratively to map seven seabed areas off Scotland and Ireland.
South Uist pilot whales
Concerns is raised over the fate of a large number of pilot whales off the coast of Scotland, which have been spotted in very shallow water in Loch Carnan, South Uist, reports the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society
Only three can win
The UK is to put forward 12 projects for consideration by the European Investment Bank for its New Entrants Reserve, the €4.5bn fund for spending on C02 Capture & Storage (CCS) and “innovative renewable projects” (IRPs). There are seven CCS projects and five IRPs. Scotland has scores three out of the CCS and an awesome four out of five in renewable projects.
Tidal array for Islay sound
The world's largest tidal stream energy array will be built in the Sound of Islay following approval by the Scottish Government. The ScottishPower Renewables £40m tidal array development will harness the power of the Sound of Islay and generate enough electricity for over 5,000 homes - double the number of homes on Islay.
From Brechin to Western Isles: virus scam
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are warning consumers in the Western Isles to be aware of a PC virus scam. While households in the Brechin area are warned about an on-going telephone fraud attempting to dupe them into parting with their personal bank details.
Marine consultation closes: February18th
Would 10 top marine expert signatories signing an open letter have any influence on the marine consultation which closes on 18 February? The most interesting take on the whole issue is laid out at the 'For Argyll' news. ComputeScotland reproduces its introduction for an experts detailed look at the crux to consultation issues.
Hightech Dental Centre for Western Isles
A £4.7m dental training centre that uses virtual reality has opened in the Western Isles, and allows students to practice on the teeth of simulated patients before working on real people.
More Borders broadband: let's hear it for Barra
BT's Race to Infinity has closed deciding the five areas which will be rewarded with a free superfast broadband upgrade. The current top performers are Innerleithen in the Scottish Border, Whitechurch, Hampshire, Baschurch, Shropshire, Caxton and Madingley, Cambridgeshire and Blewbury in Oxfordshire.
Hang in there coastal waters: technology to the rescue
The proposed modernisation of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will only require 48 coastguards, located at two national networked centres and five substations. Improved radio, Cloud computing and virtual reality will do the rest. Let's hope Chevron drills safely.
Donations requested in place of flowers
Scottish aid worker Linda Norgrove's parent John and Lorna Norgrove have set up a the Linda Norgrove Foundation to continue their daughter’s work. Her parents have set up the foundation to help fund female and family-orientated schemes such as children’s orphanages, specific girls’ schools and scholarships for Afghan women to attend universities and have asked for donations to the new foundation rather than flowers for her funeral, being held on Lewis.
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