Councillor's Column - Dougie McFadzean, August 16 2024

I took the opportunity to attend a tour of one of the amazing geothermal power stations scattered across the island.

These facilities produce almost all of Iceland’s ever growing power needs and are currently developing world leading carbon capture schemes. Incredibly this small independent country has developed technology whereby they can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into rock, a process that takes only two years. 

The carbon dioxide can then be stored forever under the ground as a stable rock, Calcium Calcite. It gives me some hope that there are opportunities for us to reduce the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and to help stop and maybe reverse global warming.

The electricity in Iceland is incredibly cheap compared to ours, the result being loads of electric cars and charging stations, under floor heating and the potential for Iceland to export power.

Even the streets of the capital city Reykjavik have underground heating, which heats the footpaths so they don’t freeze over in winter! No gritting required.

I left thinking about the possibilities and potential Scotland has with the abundance of natural resources we have, which far exceed those that Iceland has.

Amazing what a small, independent country can achieve.

I also had the pleasure of joining Jenni Minto MSP, Jim Fairlie MSP, Councillor Anne Horn and the hardy group of Scottish National Party activists at the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Show on Thursday August 8.

The event, as ever, showed what Argyll and Bute can produce, from amazing livestock, immense wind power, innovative foods and some of the most spectacular onions I have ever seen (well done to David Graham from Ballygrant for your first prize onions).

The show brings people together from all across Argyll and Bute, and beyond, who share the love of farming and local produce. The enthusiasm and passion exhibited at the event was energising and everybody had a great time, despite the heavy rain starting at 3pm. It is Scotland after all!

So our summer, if we can call it that, is nearly over and your council is hard at it trying to make things better.

There are tough financial times ahead, but I will do all I can to mitigate as many negative impacts of the current financial circumstances as I can, as will the rest of the administration group of councillors. Remember, please reach out if you think I can help.