Connectivity is king in the modern world – and for remotely located businesses and communities, it’s never been more important.

It was hugely encouraging then to see significant progress being made across the past week, buoying not just rural economies, but the wider Scottish economy too.

For starters, the procurement process for a multi-million pound project to improve mobile coverage nationally was launched at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands. Set to take in key spots including the Northern Isles, Western Isles and Highlands in its initial phase, it has the potential to be a real game-changer. 

In the words of Scottish Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing, the aim of the Scottish 4G Infill Programme is to ensure that “people, communities and businesses are able to stay connected”.

And in addition to benefitting the people, communities and businesses of these more remote parts of the country, better connectivity will also have a positive impact on the visitor experience too.

Yes, there will be some who would resist the spread of modern connectivity, but in an age when many rely on an instant connection to the web, poor sat nav connectivity can quite literally put the brakes on a rural road trip. 

With another busy year forecast for the tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands, the more that can be done to tackle the issue of connectivity, the better for business and visitor alike in my view.

Take Shetland, for example, which is expecting a record-breaking influx of cruise visitors in 2018. 

According to the Lerwick Port Authority, somewhere in the region of 92,000 people are expected to alight on the island by the time winter creeps in.

This is a dramatic 80 per cent increase on last year and offers a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to benefit from their captive audiences during on-shore excursions and leisure days. For those venturing out on foot, connectivity could be key.  

Looking west, there was also modest progress in the long-lauded plans to lay a subsea cable connecting renewable energy projects with the mainland grid between the Isle of Lewis and Ullapool.

As yet, the project hasn’t been taken forward as there have not been enough tangible benefits to justify the initial outlay.

However, SSEN last week confirmed it is continuing to engage with parties on the matter, with potential energy generation from future Contracts for Difference subsidies making the matter more than just a pipe dream. Watch this space.

Back on the mainland, there were high profile planning approvals granted to house builders operating in the Highlands - Scotia Homes and Kirkwood Homes.

The former was given the green light to move ahead with plans to build 100 new homes in Croy, near Inverness. Meanwhile contentious plans to build 16 homes less than a mile from the Culloden Battlefield were approved for Kirkwood.

Across the spectrum, it wasn’t a bad week at all for business in the Highland and Islands.

High speed connections are the absolute lifeblood of modern business – and the more connected remote communities are, the more they can plug into huge commercial opportunities that can transform economies.

 

SIDE

The east has gifted Scotland many great ideas and influences – but the last whiteout wasn’t one of them.

Thankfully, the latest eastern development is much more welcome, after it was announced that an airline is set to run direct flights between Edinburgh and Beijing, China.

It’s the first time flights have been scheduled between the two countries.

Hainan Airlines will begin the twice-weekly service in June this year. A further two return flights between the cities each week will go via Dublin – and it’s one heck of a boost for the Scottish capital.

Airline chiefs say most passengers travelling on the Airbus A330-300 flights are expected to travel for tourism or business, and of course the commercial benefits go both ways.

Auld Reekie already draws in thousands of visitors from the Far East every year – the city is second only to London as the most popular destination – and the prospect of even more arriving must be a mouth-watering one for the industry.

It’s also a tantalising prospect for business. China is a major importer of Scottish products, particularly in the food and drink industry.

And you just have to look at some of the soundbites to see how welcome the news is: “A fantastic day for Edinburgh Airport and for Scotland,” “excellent news,” “a major coup for the city,” “an exciting gear change for Scottish tourism.”

The Beast from the East might have brought Edinburgh to a halt, but Hainan Airlines is set to get it moving again in many exciting ways.

 

LAUGH

I had to laugh when I heard Airdrie and Shotts MSP Alex Neil calling on BBC chiefs to drop their plans to film Antiques Roadshow at Buckfast Abbey.

The Nats former health secretary has apparently written to the corporation’s Director General Lord Hall because he thinks it will effectively advertise the Abbey’s tonic wine.

And while I don’t question that the tipple is blamed for a lot of anti-social behaviour in Mr Neil’s patch, I’m fairly certain that telling the Beeb to stay away will not solve this complex and wide-ranging issue.

I’d argue that a change of venue could actually draw more attention to it.

I also strongly suspect that Buckfast drinkers are unlikely to be cosying round the telly on a Sunday evening to watching Fiona Bruce and her team.

 

 

WEEP

It was a real shame to see iconic toy retailer Toys R Us close all its UK stores.

The news came as the chain collapsed into administration when attempts to find a buyer for the 100 stores failed and the retailer struggled to meet a £15m tax bill.

Now, the sight of sparse shelves and deserted aisles which once thronged with excited children is enough to melt the hardest of hearts.

While eager bargain hunters have understandably been circling, let’s spare a thought for the 3,000 plus staff who have been put out of work.

 

They will face a real challenge finding new employment with these closures being just the latest in a long line of blows for the high street. They are the real victims in this downturn.