A year of celebration
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THIS year will be celebrated for many reasons. It will see the Queen reach her diamond jubilee – 60 years as head of state.
Six decades of public services is an extraordinary feat for anyone, and to have been performed impeccably throughout, is an achievement without equal.
So, rightly, there will be celebrations of her life and work as monarch.
The First Minister appeared on a recent television programme about Her Majesty, which was shown over the festive period.
I thought he spoke with real emotion of his admiration and respect for a lady who has worked tirelessly all of her life, as Queen of the UK and Queen of Scots.
She is no stranger to the north of Scotland, and I have witnessed on many occasions the care she takes to reach out to speak to the people who really do the hard work – and not just hobnob with the bigwigs!
Her husband made a speedy recovery following his recent operation. That came as no surprise to anyone, given that he has maintained levels of fitness that someone half his age would do well to match.
I remember some years ago, attending a service at the Commando Monument, at Spean Bridge, where Prince Phillip was the VIP guest.
It was a freezing cold day, and I was wrapped up well in warm coat and scarf.
The Duke of Edinburgh appeared in military tunic, no overcoat, and with ramrod straight back stood to attention at the head of the servicemen and women present.
So, we will look forward to the jubilee celebrations this year, and, if Her Majesty is reading this Strathy column, I offer my own congratulations.
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THIS year will also be the year of Creative Scotland.
No part of Scotland is more steeped in arts and culture than the Highlands and Islands, so we will see many events, performances, plays and exhibitions take place in Inverness and throughout the north.
This is also part of a strategy to bring more visitors to Scotland, and therefore 2012 is one of "the winning years".
My colleague Fiona Hyslop is in charge of the year's events.
Next year, 2013, will be the year of Natural Scotland – when we celebrate our mountains, lochs, rivers and landscapes – whilst 2014 will be the year of the homecoming.
This will see us welcome the world to Scotland – and in particular those with a connection to Scotland – such as family who left to make a new life in other parts of the world, whether of their own volition or not.
The winning years strategy is the brainchild of Visitscotland chiefs, Mike Cantlay (chairman) and Malcolm Roughhead (chief executive), or Mr Charisma and Mr Canny, as I have somewhat cheekily called them.
This builds on our strengths to promote tourism. In many ways, we make our own luck – by playing to our strengths
And it is, of course, a positive approach – the approach welcomed by the overwhelming majority of people who work in what is by some measure, Scotland's biggest industry.
Most tourism businesses are small businesses, and the Highlands have a higher proportion of small businesses than anywhere else in the land.
I was pleased to read in the Strathy a couple of weeks ago that many of the local tourism based businesses have had a good Christmas, and festive period.
My work, as MSP and Minister, is to keep things positive and see that our country and its many attractions are well and effectively promoted.
We also have an opportunity to see that Londoners, wearying of the bustle of the metropolis, can be persuaded to leave behind their worries as the capital celebrates the Olympics and enjoy the Highlands.
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AS Scottish Government Minister for Energy Enterprise and Tourism, 2012 will be a year of absorption in this demanding, but rewarding, job.
My focus is entirely upon enabling businesses to create jobs and opportunities, and providing them with the help that is appropriate and necessary, to the best of our ability.
It is important to work with colleagues in other parties.
For example, I have just attended and addressed a conference held in Inverness, in order to promote the interests of the islands in their fight for a fair deal in the financial charges imposed on providers of electricity, for access to the National Grid.
Just before Christmas, OFGEM proposed a new solution, much awaited, but which did not apply to the islands.
To leave them out of a deal which applies to the rest of the UK is surely unfair and it is vital that we secure a better deal for them.
Therefore, I have asked that other parliamentary representatives of constituencies – ie Lib Dems as well as SNP – are invited to take part.
The potential of renewable energy projects to transform life and living on the islands – of the West and North – is immense.
It will lead to economic revival, community regeneration and, in time, repopulation.
But without a fair charging regime, companies can hardly be faulted for making investments elsewhere, at lesser expense.
I will do everything possible to persuade the UK Government to accept the need to act, and continue to work alongside their ministers towards that end.
