THE Highlands and islands are playing a major part in the first Scottish Renewables Festival, offering people in the region an opportunity to see renewable energy in action this weekend.
A range of events are planned across the region, from a guided marine energy walk in Orkney to a screening of climate change film The Age of Stupid, at Caithness Horizons in Thurso.
There will also be a chance to get up close to the world’s most-productive wind turbine in Shetland and to the Forss Windfarm turbines in Caithness.
The festival has been organised by Scottish Renewables, the green energy trade body, with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
A dedicated website has been set up to enable people to see the wide range of events taking place from Shetland to the Solway coast on www.renewablesfestival.com.
There will be renewable energy-related games and giveaways at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness, and an opportunity to see planned developments for the wave site at EMEC at Stromness, Orkney, during the weekend.
Burradale in Shetland will open its doors to visitors today from 11.30am to 4pm, where they can see the world’s most productive wind turbine, Betsy.
The Age of Stupid at Caithness Horizons is from 2.30-4pm. Pre-booking is necessary at fiona.macpherson@hient.co.uk or call 01847 896806.
Renewable Energy Systems have a fun-filled day of guided tours and childrens’ activities at Forss windfarm, near Thurso, on today from 11am to 4pm.
Find out more about biomass installations at Highland Wood Energy in Lochaber today, from 10am to 1pm, and discover one of the hidden wonders of the Highlands under Ben Cruachan, home to Cruachan Power Station, open during the weekend from 9.30am to 4.45pm.