17 July 2017

The First Minister welcomed news that Scottish Enterprise will contribute £11.7 million towards Aberdeen Harbour’s £350 million expansion, supporting the creation of 2,300 jobs by 2026.

The project, due to be completed in 2020, will provide enhanced facilities and capacity to the oil industry and help capitalise on Scotland’s growing cruise tourism and renewables markets.

Aberdeen's harbour expansion to receive £11.7m funding boost, @NicolaSturgeon confirms https://t.co/6wr9qVhD6j pic.twitter.com/04hpbPefkp

— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) July 17, 2017

Visiting the harbour today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Aberdeen Harbour is Scotland’s main oil and gas port and one of Europe’s leading marine support centres for offshore energy.

“This funding will open up significant opportunities to diversify and exploit the rapid growth in cruise tourism and the renewables markets in Scotland.”

“We are already seeing Scottish-based firms seizing decommissioning opportunities, and we are committed to supporting Scottish industry to win further valuable contracts. That’s why we developed a Decommissioning Plan last year, and have since launched the £5 million Decommissioning Challenge Fund.”

The First Minister also had an official tour of one of Hanover Scotland’s brand new housing developments for older people in Moray that uses pioneering design and research to bring health care back into the community.

Developed in partnership with Health & Social Care Moray and the Scottish Government, Varis Court in Forres is designed  to suit individual residents’ needs. It has a dining room, a common room and two large outdoor courtyards. Following advice from Stirling University, the complex has a ‘sensory room’ which has innovative light features and a planting area. Areas like these have been scientifically proven to improve quality of life and they create a stimulating space for residents to socialise.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“One of the most important ways to ensure the quality of life of older people is to increase access to safe, affordable homes that enables independent living.”

“I was delighted to visit Varis Court today and meet staff and residents to see first–hand how Scottish Government investment is helping older people to remain living in their own homes, safe and secure, for as long as possible.”