'Game-changing' £100m deal for islands is signed

​A growth deal which will invest £100 million in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles has been was signed.

Gravitis space port first commercial rocket launch Historic first for UK as commercial rocket launch takes place in Outer Hebrides A historic UK first has taken place in the Outer Hebrides today (Thursday) with a unique commercial rocket launch conducted by a wholly-owned British company and a Scottish spaceport team. Spaceport 1 joined forces with East Anglian firm Gravitilab Aerospace Services on the launch of flight test vehicle 'ADA', named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th century English mathematician who is considered the world's first computer programmer. ADA took off from Benbecula Airport marking a successful launch for Spaceport 1, the consortium led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), which aims to open at Scolpaig, North Uist, in 2022. From this base, commercial sub-orbital space launches will begin to take place from within the UK. The landmark moment represents the first success for this unique commercial partnership between Spaceport 1 and Gravitilab, providing proper physical evidence of how companies can work together commercially under the new Government space framework to deliver a successful rocket launch from the UK. It is a significant step in the history of Gravitilab, which aims to make space more accessible by providing reliable and affordable microgravity research and testing services. ADA is the company's first rocket designed to offer this, and the sub-orbital launch at Benbecula Airport is part of the company's ongoing development programme. It also comes just weeks after the Government's new framework to regulate the space industry came into force. This framework has the potential to thrust Scotland and the UK into the global forefront of the growing space sector making spaceport developments and space launches a reality. For Spaceport 1, this offers the opportunity to become a working, viable commercial spaceport, as it looks to complete its site by 2022, with full commercial operations commencing in the same year

A growth deal which will invest £100 million in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles was signed on Friday.

The funding includes £50 million each from the Scottish and UK Governments, with some £293 million more expected in match funding from other sources as well as up to 1,300 jobs.

Over 10 years, the three islands' councils will invest in 16 projects, including a spaceport on North Uist, a vertical farm in Orkney and redevelopments of University of the Highlands and Islands campuses in the Outer Hebrides and in Shetland.

Orkney Islands Council leader James Stockan said: "We have worked together to successfully achieve an impactful growth deal from our Governments in both London and Edinburgh that will help secure a better future for us all.

"Not only does the agreement recognise all our unique challenges faced as island areas, but also the strength of our assets and opportunities that we offer."

Western Isles Council leader Paul Steele said: "The signing of the Islands Growth Deal is both the culmination of a vision set out by the Islands Councils and the UK and Scottish Governments and the beginning of the implementation of that vision."

Shetland Islands Council leader Emma Macdonald said: "The deal contains projects which are island-specific and focus on local opportunities and priorities, as well as those which, working in partnership, will help us unlock more economic success for all our islands.

"These vital projects supporting our islands' sustainability could not have progressed without the UK Government and Scottish Government's support and investment."

The signing, inside the Orkney Islands Council chamber on Friday, was also attended by Scotland Office minister Malcolm Offord and Scottish Government business minister Ivan McKee.

Mr McKee described the deal as a "game-changing initiative", adding: "This £50 million Scottish Government investment will support the transition to renewable energy sources - including equipping the workforce with new skills - and trial emissions reduction initiatives on islands.

"It will drive innovation in key space, food and drink and creative industries sectors; help develop significant tourism and cultural attractions and expand education provision."

While the Scotland Office minister said the deal would "not just boost local economies and create jobs, but also empower communities to get the most out of the many assets and attributes that make the islands such unique and special places to live".

He added: "This deal is packed with a broad range of high-impact projects, whether it's leading the transition to net zero or developing must-visit destinations such as the St Kilda trail.

"The UK Government's £50 million support for the islands deal, in addition to other levelling up investments, shows our continued commitment to the Scottish islands."