Former chief executive of Bord na Gaidhlig joins HiTrans board
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A former champion of Gaelic culture and language is taking up a new role to help improve public transport in the Highlands.
Shona MacLennan, the recently retired chief executive of Bord na Gaidhlig, has been appointed to the board of HiTrans, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands.
Third award for HiTrans for ground-breaking transport project
Wellbeing role of Gaelic in Scottish society
She will be one of three non-council representatives on the partnership board which meets quarterly at venues across the Highlands and Islands.
From Dornie, near Kyle of Lochalsh, Ms MacLennan stood down as chief executive of Bord na Gaidhlig in October last year after seven years of overseeing the development and growth of Gaelic and the organisation.
She has also been a board member of Highlands and Islands Airports and held senior roles across the public and private sector.
HiTrans chairman, Councillor Uisdean Robertson, of the Western Isles, was delighted to welcome Ms MacLennan to the board.
“She is a committed user of public transport and brings a clear perspective of the transport networks of the Highlands and Islands to the board,” Cllr Robertson said.
“I greatly look forward to working with her on initiatives that will help our special area prosper.”
Ms MacLennan said she was looking forward to joining the board.
“I recognise how central effective transport links are to economic growth, community development, social cohesion and population retention,” she said.
“I have been involved with various transport matters throughout my career in the Highlands and Islands and am enthusiastic about continuing this with HiTrans."
The board comprises five councillor members who are nominated by constituent councils and three non-councillor members. The latter posts are not remunerated.
The board’s principal duty and responsibility is developing and overseeing the delivery of a statutory regional transport strategy which sets out a vision, objectives and proposed actions for how transport will support and promote economic prosperity; connect communities and reduce social exclusion; and improve environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing.
