Shetland News
Chris Cope
16 Jan 2026
Criticism that no Highlands and Islands residents are appointed board members at the operator of the region’s airports has been rebuffed by the government.
A spokesperson for government agency Transport Scotland said two recent appointments of two people to the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) board will bring “substantial experience and expertise”.
It comes after Shetland’s Liberal Democrat election candidate Emma Macdonald said it was “it is totally ridiculous that HIAL’s board still contains no-one who actually lives in the region”.
It is understood that two people listed as members live in the Highlands and Islands, but they are on the board because of their jobs with HIAL.
Other members of the board, such as the new chair, are appointed...
