Council leaders to meet Michael Moore

THE LEADERS of Scotland’s island councils have welcomed Scottish secretary Michael Moore’s commitment to meet with them to discuss their Our Islands, Our Future initiative.

Shetland, Orkney and the western isles are seeking greater powers regardless of the outcome of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence.

In a speech held in Skye last week, Moore called on the Scottish government to devolve more powers to the islands.

It has now emerged that the SIC leader Gary Robinson, OIC leader Steven Heddle and Angus Campell for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are likely to meet the Scottish secretary within the next few weeks.

Robinson said: “I’m pleased to see that the Our Islands, Our Future campaign is now firmly on the radar of both the Scottish and Westminster governments ahead of our conference next month.

“We’ve made it clear that we wish to engage with all interested parties before the referendum next year so the Scottish secretary’s offer to meet with us is very welcome.

“The last piece of the jigsaw will be to secure a commitment from the European Parliament to engage with us and I’m hopeful that we will make progress in that respect in the near future.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish government is setting up a ministerial working group. The inaugural meeting is expected to be held soon.