Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross has ‘warmly welcomed’ the news that Cromarty Firth has been chosen as one of the two sites in Scotland to receive green freeport status.
Douglas, who backed the bid last summer after meeting with Opportunity Cromarty Firth says gaining this status will bring “significant opportunities and investment” to the Highlands, with the positive effects also being felt in his own constituency of Moray.
He says he is delighted that the UK Government and Scottish Government recognised the strength of the Cromarty Firth bid as it “ticked all the boxes” for him. Douglas adds that he can see it attracting people to come and live and work in the region, delivering a major boost to the local economy.
Douglas added that the location is also ideally situated to help achieve Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets through growing the renewables sector.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: “I am delighted that Cromarty Firth has been selected as one of Scotland’s freeport sites. Having visited the site last summer I could see how compelling the case from Opportunity Cromarty Firth was.
“It really did tick all the boxes for me and I could see how passionate those behind the bid were about securing this status. Now that this welcome news has been delivered for the region thanks to the UK and Scottish Governments working together to give this bid the go-ahead, I am excited about what lies ahead.
“I truly believe that having this freeport status will bring about new and significant opportunities and investment for the Highlands and Moray. We need to attract people to come and make the Highlands their home and this is a great incentive for people to do just that.
“When I visited the site, it confirmed to me that it is also ideally situated to help meet Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets with its capacity to help build more resources from renewable sources.
“This is the sort of positive investment that can occur when both of Scotland’s governments work together to deliver for local people and communities. Today’s announcement is the start of a really exciting new chapter for the Cromarty Firth and I look forward to seeing the boost it brings to the local economy.”