A Region Transformed – Experience the story of how one of Europe’s most remote regions has transformed its economic fortunes

The session, delivered on behalf of Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) traces the historical, social, and cultural background which led to the regions’ economic decline and mass emigration. Hear how successive Governments have used infrastructure investment, including the Caledonian Canal, to try to solve a series of challenges and how, finally, a model was put in place which halted and reversed the decline of the preceding 250 years.

Transcript

23. Thomas Telford 
 performed by
 Trevor Nicol
25. Thomas Telford 1757 to 1834 328 miles of canals 1000 miles of roads Over 20 new harbours 100 new bridges 32 Parliamentary Churches First President of the 
 Institution of Civil Engineers Buried at Westminster Abbey
43. Willie Ross
 Secretary of State for Scotland, 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976
44. Highlands and Islands 
 Development Board
48. Chris Taylor Head of Tourism Highlands and Islands Enterprise
51. 50 Ideas for 50 Years 12:30 | 13:00
52. Produced by Douglas Yule, Dynam, HCVF, Norman Strachan Video With thanks to Ambaile Highlife Highland Archive Culloden Battlefield