Wave of success as Jessica secures coastal degree first
JESSICA Leggatt will make history tomorrow (Friday) when she becomes the first West Highland College UHI graduate to complete the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Marine and Coastal Tourism degree.
Jessica, who currently lives in Spean Bridge but originally hails from Fortrose on the Black Isle, will receive her award at the college's annual graduation ceremony in the Nevis Centre, Fort William.
During the summer she had a graduate internship at Active Highs, a local provider of outdoor activities. Her role involved assessing the business and drawing on her studies to produce a report signposting future opportunities. She is currently working with clients and running trials with some of her ideas.
Jessica is also working on setting up her own business, Canù (Gaelic for canoe), as well as working on her new property which will also provide tourist accommodation.
Canù will offer tailor-made adventure days out, courses and multi-day trips. As well as canoeing and river kayaking, Jessica also hopes to offer sea kayaking, hill walking, climbing, ski-ing and biking in the future.
Jessica is also one of a few women holding high level coaching qualifications in a number of disciplines. Over her four years in Fort William, there have been many opportunities to take to the local waters and build skills and experience.
The School of Adventure Studies at West Highland College UHI offers this unique course in response to the growing opportunities within the marine and coastal tourism sector worldwide.
The BA (Honours) programme prepares graduates for professional careers at all levels, from face to face delivery to national strategy.
Coastal communities are often disadvantaged economically and infrastructure is tested when large numbers arrive. The question of how to manage this demand, and this resource, sustainably, will be the big challenge in the coming decades. The BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism aims to train the future shapers of this sector.
Alex Williams, programme leader for marine and coastal studies, said: ‘Jess was in the first, small intake of students. Since then we have grown and developed and Jess has been a part of that journey. She represents what we aimed for at the outset: motivated, skilled graduates capable of success in this growing sector of the Scottish and UK economy.’