Area Profiles - Argyll & the Islands

Argyll and the Islands is a large, geographically diverse area situated in the south-west of the Scottish Highlands. Although predominantly rural the mainland communities are for the most part within a two hour drive of central Scotland and the majority of the area's 27 inhabited islands are easily accessible by ferry. In addition, the remoter communities of South Kintyre, Islay and Tiree have a regular air service to Glasgow. The area has a population of around 70,000 and the principal population centres are Campbeltown, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Oban and Rothesay.

The main industries are tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and telecom-related activities, while the traditional activities of whisky distilling and fishing have localised importance in areas such as Islay, Jura and Kintyre. Recently the area has gained a reputation for innovation in the renewable energy sector, particularly with regard to a major inward investment by Vestas at Machrihanish near Campbeltown for the construction of wind turbines and the pioneering Wavegen research into wave power which has taken place on the island of Islay.

But it is not all large scale development, Gigha Renewable Energy Limited operates the island's own windfarm. Their three large grid connected turbines have made a £100,000 net profit in their first full year of operation and have been producing clean electricity since they were commissioned in December 2004. This is the first community-owned wind farm in the UK, where profits are invested in the development of Gigha for the benefit of the island's population.

West Highland Housing Association in Oban, meanwhile, has become a leader in renewable energy and has incorporated wood fuel and solar energy in its developments.

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