Issue Date: Thursday, 03 July 2014

A free guide to the most scenic walks and best wildlife spots on the Energetica corridor has been launched today.

Thousands of Energetica Walking & Wildlife Guides are being distributed at venues across the north-east of Scotland.

The A5 booklet showcases the most beautiful coastal walks and the best places to spot wildlife on the Energetica corridor, which covers a 30-mile stretch from the Bridge of Don in Aberdeen, north to Peterhead and west to the airport.

The guide follows on from the second Energetica Walking & Wildlife Festival in May. The successful event saw over 250 people take part in a wide range of outdoor events, including guided walks, dolphin watching, pond dipping, puffin spotting and wildlife photography lessons.

Volunteers in native animal costumes distributed the Energetica Walking & Wildlife Guide at Aberdeen beach on Tuesday 1 July.

The guide will be available at a range of north-east venues including the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, VisitScotland tourist information offices and council offices. A digital version is also available at www.energetica.uk.com.

Beginning with wildlife spotting opportunities at Peterhead Harbour, the guide picks out the natural highlights of the Energetica corridor, including Bullers of Buchan, Forvie National Nature Reserve and the River Ythan.

The booklet is not just limited to the countryside and pinpoints walking opportunities in Dyce and an “Aberdeen Business Walk”, directing the weary delegate to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre into the city, via the picturesque Aberdeen beach.

Energetica Programme Director, Derek McCrindle, said: “The success of this year’s Energetica Walking & Wildlife Festival shows us that people want to get out and experience the beauty of the landscapes and animal life in this special part of the north-east.

“The festival only lasted for two days, but this guide provides the information to help people access the best walks and viewing points all year round.

“The Energetica programme is not just about encouraging business and investment, but also about promoting the great quality of life enjoyed by people of the north-east of Scotland and this guide will help with that.”

Contact: Marcomms Officer (Energetica) Leanna MacLarty

Email: leanna.maclarty@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Tel: (01224) 664979

Issue Date: Tuesday, 08 July 2014

Contact: Marcomms Officer (Energetica) Leanna MacLarty, (01224) 664235

Energetica appoints Development Manager to move project forward

The ambitious Energetica programme has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of an Energetica Development Manager to oversee the project and drive it forward.

Energetica is a 25-year programme to create an exemplar, low carbon, sustainable development corridor that will attract energy organisations and individuals to a natural and built coastal environment. The programme is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise.

James Welsh, from Aberdeenshire Council’s Planning and Building Standards Service, has been appointed to the role of Energetica Development Manager.

Before taking on this role, James worked as Project Co-ordinator for the council and previously worked as Senior Planning Consultant at Halliday Fraser Munro.

The new post, the first time a dedicated management role has been created for Energetica, will focus on delivering the project’s ambitions and priorities, as set out in the new and refreshed Energetica Strategic Delivery Framework.

A global showcase for energy technology development and energy efficiency, Energetica covers a 30-mile stretch extending from the north of Aberdeen to Peterhead. With the potential to create hundreds of jobs and £500 million of additional annual GVA, Energetica has attracted £260 million of a potential £750 million investment in its first five years.

The new appointment follows the appointment of an Energetica Marcomms Officer in April, the first time a resource has been dedicated to communications and marketing for Energetica.

James said: “This is a great opportunity to take the lead in an innovative and ambitious project which will help to boost the economy of the north-east of Scotland.

“I am looking forward to taking the lead with the Energetica programme and working over the next two years to fulfil the project’s aims and encourage greater investment and skills into the north-east of Scotland.”

Energetica Programme Director, Derek McCrindle, said: “This is an exciting development for the Energetica programme and one which will help drive the project forward over the next two years.

“There are many exciting developments taking place or planned along the Energetica corridor. This new post will help us to support these projects and encourage greater investment into the corridor.”

For more information on the Energetica programme go to www.energetica.uk.com or follow us on Twitter (@Energetica_uk).

 Contact: Marcomms Officer (Energetica) Leanna MacLarty

Email: leanna.maclarty@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Tel: (01224) 664979