Fibre broadband a 'game changer' for far north Scotland

Plans to bring fibre optic broadband to 84 per cent of homes and businesses in Scotland's Highlands and Islands have been welcomed as a "game changer" for the rural region.

The £146 million project, which will be delivered by BT in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, was announced last week and has been hailed as the most challenging and complex broadband rollout in UK history.

Speaking after the initiative was confirmed, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership manager Eann Sutherland said the investment could be of particular benefit to the far north region, putting it on a level playing field with urban locations.

"You need good road, rail, land and sea connections but also good digital connections and this investment should provide us with that," he explained.

Mr Sinclair went on to stress that he hopes fibre optic broadband connectivity is rolled out across the far north area, rather than just Thurso and Wick.