More say in Highlands and Isles

The call for more island control was made on Shetland

The Highlands and Islands are to get a louder voice on a body which helps shape Scotland's economic future, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Mr Salmond was announcing moves to strengthen the region's representation by creating two more seats on the National Economic Forum.

He announced the move when the Convention of the Highlands and Islands held its latest meeting in Shetland.

The Convention was created as a forum for ministers and public bodies.

'Vital engagement'

Mr Salmond said: "We must ensure we are drawing on the full strengths of all parts of Scotland.

"The government's economic strategy - which unites the whole of the public sector behind our goals - makes that clear.

"The Convention of the Highlands and Islands provides vital engagement between the government and representatives from across the region. But we believe it can make an even greater contribution to economic policy for the whole of Scotland."

A call was earlier made for Scotland's islands to be given more control over their own affairs.

The convener of Shetland Islands Council, Sandy Cluness, urged the Scottish Government to stop centralising services, such as tourism and water.