Lord Duncan gets a taste of Oban
UK GOVERNMENT minister for Scotland Lord Duncan of Springbank has visited Oban to get a taste of Argyll and Bute.
The minister, who met with fishing and council leaders on Friday, also had a ‘wee dram’ on a personal tour of Oban Distillery Visitor Centre, named winner of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions’ Best Visitor Experience award 2017.
Lord Duncan said he was visiting the area as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the UK government to hear about priorities and concerns so he could take them back to London.
His one-day itinerary included discussions with the Northern Lighthouse Board about maritime safety and the Scallop Association about Brexit.
Lord Duncan, who previously had worked with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘Fishermen are canny. They want to explore every possible avenue.’
Economic development and funding opportunities were also on the agenda when he met Argyll and Bute Council chiefs to talk about government help.
‘Scotland has two governments, one in Edinburgh and one in London.
‘Both must do their jobs. We have to listen to them and they have to hold us to account,’ said Lord Duncan, who is a member of the House of Lords. ‘My role is to be the eyes and ears of the UK government. This is very much a collaboration so we can make progress together.’