Ski Industry

General Questions – in the Scottish Parliament at 11:00 am on 23 December 2010.

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Photo of Nanette Milne Nanette Milne Conservative 11:00, 23 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it takes to support the ski industry. (S3O-12437)

Photo of Shona Robison Shona Robison Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable economic benefits and employment opportunities that snowsports bring to Scotland and we continue to support their development. Through sportscotland, VisitScotland and our enterprise agencies, we provide funding to enable the industry to realise its full potential. Building on the success of last season, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have commissioned a strategic review of snowsports that is designed to identify what further can be done to develop this important industry.

Photo of Nanette Milne Nanette Milne Conservative

I refer members to my entry in the register of interests.

The minister will be aware that the A93 is the main route through from Aberdeenshire to Perthshire and that it is the only way to reach the area's largest winter employer, the Glenshee ski centre. The A93 is vital to Braemar's economic stability and a key component in helping the Cairngorms National Park Authority to achieve its fourth statutory aim:

"To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities."

With that in mind, will the minister agree to discuss with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure how the maintenance of the A93 can be improved to support the ski area and economic growth in the area?

Photo of Shona Robison Shona Robison Scottish National Party

I have been up to Glenshee a couple of times this season and I can confirm that the facilities and conditions are fantastic. I encourage others to go. The A93 is a local road that stretches from Perth and Kinross to Aberdeenshire and winter maintenance is a matter for those local authorities. I know that those local authorities take the requirement to keep the road open very seriously, because of the economic benefits that Glenshee brings to the area. I saw for myself how hard they were working to ensure that cars could get access to the Glenshee centre but, of course, we will keep a close eye on these matters.

Photo of Jamie Stone Jamie Stone Liberal Democrat

The Ross and Cromarty District Council took to an advanced and costed stage an exciting project to establish skiing on the slopes of Ben Wyvis, near Dingwall, in John Farquhar Munro's constituency. Unfortunately, all those years ago the then Conservative Government refused to grant the capital consent to the council and the project was shelved. While I cannot ask the minister to commit to capital spend, will she agree to let her officials meet me to see the documents, which are very interesting, and to discuss whether the project could be revived in some future year?

Photo of Shona Robison Shona Robison Scottish National Party

I am always happy to meet or have my officials meet to discuss such matters, but we have to recognise the real constraints on capital investment across the board, which make it extremely difficult to make capital investment of that nature. There is, of course, always the opportunity for commercial interest in such ventures. I encourage Jamie Stone to encourage, in turn, commercial interest in that initiative.