AS the Outer Hebrides welcomes the Queen’s Baton Relay, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is hosting two events on Tuesday 8 July to mark the historic occasion.
The first event will be held at the HIE offices in Lionacleit.
From 11.30am to 1pm there will be a special session for local businesses. HIE representatives will be available to discuss opportunities for increasing and entering new international markets.
This will be followed by a public session from 1:00pm to 2.30pm where there will be plenty for all the family to do; including a mini Commonwealth games for children and a cooking demonstration using local food by Marcello Tully, head chef at the Michelin starred Kinloch Lodge in the Isle of Skye.
A wide range of local food and drink produce will also be showcased at the event.
Local staff will be on hand at both sessions to answer any questions relating to HIE products and services.
As the Baton travels north, the next HIE hosted event will be held at An Lanntair Gallery, Stornoway from 4pm – 6pm focusing on opportunities for the future for young people, attended by current and previous graduates.
This event will coincide with the final leg of the Baton Relay in Stornoway where celebrations will continue in Perceval Square.
Andrea McColl, head of Graduate Placements at HIE, will do a short introduction about HIE’s ambition to make our region more attractive to young people by encouraging them to live, study and work here.
She will give an insight to the ScotGrad programme which is supported by HIE and places skilled graduates and undergraduates in organisations across Scotland to carry out innovative projects.
The current and previous graduates attending will share their experiences and successes.
Employers interested in the programme are welcome to come along to find out more about how they can benefit.
Rachel Mackenzie, HIE area manager, said: “The Queen’s Baton coming to the Outer Hebrides gives us an excellent opportunity to share some of the added value of the Commonwealth Games being held in Scotland this year. We are capitalising on this opportunity by running separate events in Benbecula and in Lewis.
“At our offices in Lionacleit, we have invited our businesses to a session about increasing their reach in terms of internationalisation.
“This is followed by a public event where local companies and suppliers will showcase the quality and range of food and drink in our islands. In An Lanntair, Stornoway, our event is focusing on the opportunities for businesses and our innovative and skilled young people, through ScotGrad and similar schemes.”
Comhairle convener, Norman MacDonald, said: “The arrival of the Queen’s Baton to our islands next month will be an historic occasion which will provide us with another opportunity to display the beauty of these islands to the rest of the country and indeed the Commonwealth nations.
“I am delighted that partner organisations are holding community events which will add value and an extra dimension to the day.
“The chosen themes for the events – business and opportunities for young people – are ones which the Comhairle fully endorses and continually supports throughout the Western Isles.
“We are sure that the Commonwealth Games will have a positive impact on our islands, with the many visitors to Scotland keen to extend their trip and visit the Outer Hebrides; we look forward to welcoming them.”
Invitations for the business events have been sent out, however, anyone who has not received one and would like to attend should contact their local HIE office.
The Queen’s Baton Relay in the Outer Hebrides has been planned by Glasgow 2014 in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. It will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools and sporting facilities.
For more information on The Queen’s Baton Relay, please visit www.glasgow2014.com/join/queens-baton-relay
Details of HIE’s offices can be found on our website: www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/offices-and-staff/default.html
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Contact: HIE Communications
Phone: 01463244238
Email: communications@hient.co.uk
Website: http://www.hie.co.uk
