07-10-05

NORTH POLITICIANS IMPRESSED WITH QUALITY OF RESEARCH

Three North Lib Dem MPs yesterday dropped by Thurso’s Environmental Research Institute during a tour of the Far North. The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP John Thurso hosted what was a fact-finding trip for his colleagues Alistair Carmichael and Danny Alexander.
ERI head, Stuart Gibb showed the trio round the centre, which opened five years ago after a £1.6 million revamp of the town’s West Public School.
The centre, which carries out leading-edge research into environmental research and climate change, has 20 staff, including seven PhD students.
Dr. Gibb said: ”When the ERI opened five years ago we set out to establish a vibrant and dynamic research centre that addressed contemporary environmental issues. In the coming years we aim to build recognition for the ERI as a centre of excellence in environmental science and create high-quality employment and training opportunities right here in Caithness.”
John Thurso said the centre is an invaluable asset in the area. Mr Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, described his visit as “a real eye-opener”. He said that, along with trail-blazing research into renewable energy in Orkney, the ERI is helping create a cluster of academic excellence in the Far North. Mr Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said he was impressed by the quality and range of research which was of international importance.