An Icelandic delegation is coming to the Highlands this week in a fact finding tour to explore ways of developing rural economies.

Geographical similarities and a shared interest in fostering innovative, resourceful communities have lead to links between the countries' development agencies. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is setting up a range of visits for the Icelandic development professionals to meet businesses involved in the key Highland sectors of renewable energy and tourism.

The Icelandic team, which includes the Mayor of the Municipality of Hornafjordur, plan to discuss Scottish developments in renewable energy, community development and marketing and tourism with HIE teams.

"We are delighted to be welcoming the Icelandic group to the Highlands and Islands to look at the innovative work being carried out here.

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"They view Scotland's progress as an excellent example of a small country like their own capitalising on what is unique in order to grow the economy and compete at an international level. The group are keen to meet with our experts and are seeking successful models which they could replicate given similar opportunities in their own regions," said Stephanie Anderson, of HIE.

The Icelandic group members are also spending time at the Cairngorms National Park looking at the effects on Highland tourism of having a national park and how to maximize the benefits to neighbouring rural areas. Iceland has a number of national parks including Vatnajokull National Park, the largest in Europe.

Today the team will meet with business representatives from the Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce and will incorporate a tour of the Rothiemurchus Estate. On Friday they will meet with the Cairngorms National Park Authority at Grantown on Spey before visiting Tomintoul and then going on to Royal Deeside for a tour of the Glen Tanar Estate.

David Green, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: "We welcome the visit of the Icelandic delegation. We are doing some innovative work with the embryonic Cairngorms Business Partnership, helping them to develop their capacity to capitalise on the iconic brand of the Cairngorms National Park."

(GK/JM)