Inhabitants of eight of the Highlands and Islands' most fragile communities meet Scottish Executive ministers today (Tuesday, 25 September, 2001) to discuss how an initiative launched three years ago is breathing new life into some of Scotland's remotest communities.

The third Iomairt aig an Oir (IaaO)/Initiative at the Edge conference is being held on the islands of Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney - itself one of the eight pilot areas to benefit from the community led, multi-agency approach to achieving a sustainable future.

Deputy minister for enterprise and lifelong learning and Gaelic Alasdair Morrison is attending the two day event as chairperson of the Initiative, along with Rhona Brankin, deputy minister for the environment and rural development and herself a member of the IaaO national steering group.

The conference is an annual event which is always held in one of the IaaO areas - it was held in Ardnamurchan in 2000 and Harris the year before. The purpose of the event is to get everyone involved in the Initiative under one roof to share experiences, reinforce links with partner agencies, learn about projects currently being undertaken and look at what the future holds for these remote areas.

On Tuesday delegates will take part in six workshops including:

* Renewable energy;

* The anchoring process which will discuss how progress will be achieved in the longer term;

* Catering for elderly and special needs;

* Supporting community enterprise;

* Heritage tourism; and

* Harnessing information technology.

The ministers will sit in on the renewable energy workshops which will look at how communities can develop appropriate projects to maximise the opportunities that this new industry may offer in the future.

On Wednesday, the group will split up to look at local projects - some of which the Initiative has been involved with. Mr Morrsion's group will travel to nearby Papa Westray to see some 'Initiative' projects in action. These include an old kelp store which is to be re-roofed and used as an island interpretation and visitor centre, and St.Anne's Kirk which was a decaying church building and is now a modern multi-functional community facility, which as well as the church includes a doctors surgery, nurses room, residential flat and community room with kitchen.

Mrs Brankin will stay in Westray and see other Initiative projects - from a childrens play area in Pierowall village to the 'Hofn' - a place for the youngsters on the island to meet and socialise in.

Delegates will mainly be made up of community members from the eight areas which include Eriskay, Lochboisdale, Bays of Harris, Uig and Bernera in the Western Isles; the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Lochaber; North Sutherland; the island of Colonsay, off the Argyll mainland; and Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney.

The partner agencies involved with the Initiative will also be in attendance including Highlands and Islands Enterprise which funds the core running costs of the Initiative, Scottish Homes, Scottish Natural Heritage, Crofters Commission, Orkney Islands Council, Argyll and Bute Council, The Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).

Meg Rodger, the national co-ordinator of Iomairt aig an Oir/Initiative at the Edge said: "Our annual conference is a great opportunity for everyone involved with Initiative at the Edge to get together and compare how the last year has gone. Common problems can be discussed face to face and often solutions found by one area can then be put into practice in others.

"It is also very encouraging to see the number of people attending the conference from our partner agencies and the Scottish Executive itself. This is a clear demonstration of the commitment which exists to some of the nation's most peripheral and fragile areas."