Tour guides trained
Thirty tour guides are looking forward to giving visitors a new insight into Orkney’s world leading role in the development of renewable energy.
The guides enjoyed a close up view of renewables in action during a special training session run by Orkney Cruise Services in partnership with EMEC, the European Marine Energy Centre.
They travelled by boat to EMEC’s test site off Eday, where two tidal turbines are currently
installed, and visited Billia Croo to see the Oyster wave energy device at work.
A trip to Westray provided the guides with first hand knowledge of the island’s biodiesel plant, biofuel digestor and 900 kilowatt (kW) community wind turbine. Their site visits also took in the cluster of large wind turbines at Burgar Hill.
“More and more visitors are travelling to Orkney because of the county’s growing reputation as an internationally important centre for renewables,” said Eileen Linklater, EMEC’s marketing manager.
“Last year alone we had 540 visitors through the door at EMEC from every corner of the globe. They ranged from politicians and academics to TV crews, journalists, big international industrial companies, and even a couple of members of the Royal Family – all of them interested in the cutting edge work going on here.
“On land and at sea, the guides who took part had an infectious enthusiasm for all the renewables activity they witnessed. Each of them comes into contact with at least 1000 visitors a year – I’m
sure they’ll be brilliant advocates for the renewable energy industry in Orkney.”
The two day course, sponsored by Orkney Islands Council, also included presentations by Aquatera, Orkney Sustainable Energy, OIC Marine Services and ICIT, the International Centre for Island Technology.
“The course was a great success with around 30 tour guides attending,” said Malcolm Macrae, from Orkney Cruise Services.
“As well as helping to host visitors from the renewables sector, the guides will now be able to promote Orkney as a world leader in marine energy, and other forms of renewables, to their guests from cruise liners and tours from south.”
David Murdoch, one of the guides involved, said the knowledge he gained on the course would be invaluable when working with visitors.
“It was extremely stimulating for all of us,” he added. “The great thing was getting to see EMEC’s wave and tidal test sites for ourselves. That was impressive, as was all the innovative work going on in Westray.
“Now I’m looking forward to giving visitors some fresh insights into the environmental benefits of renewable energy for Orkney – and its potential to create jobs here as well.”
