Jim Mather: Met delegation from Scrabster Harbour Trust. Pic: © STV
Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather has said that Scrabster has a central role in realising Scotland's renewable energy 'revolution.'
Mr Mather said the Caithness port is ideally sited to service marine power developments in the Pentland Firth.
The Minister met a delegation from Scrabster Harbour Trust who he offered administrative support in progressing its ambitious £50m redevelopment.
He was impressed with the blueprint which consultants claim could create an extra 325 full-time jobs in the far north.
Mr Mather said Holyrood is in no doubt about the strategic importance the port can play in maximising spin-offs to the area from green energy ventures.
He said Scrabster and Caithness are right at the centre of what he described as the renewables revolution, adding that the port is poised to play an important role in servicing the new oil and gas developments west of Shetland.
Phase one involves a major revamp of the tanker pier, costing between £18 and £22m, and a £2m servicing of land earmarked to serve as a light industrial park.
The second phase involves the creation of a new quay between the tanker pier and the deep-water Queen Elizabeth Pier.
