Pylons and battery storage systems are sure to be a hot topic at summer surgery tour in Caithness and Sutherland

Holyrood Notebook by Edward Mountain

While Edinburgh has much to offer, I always look forward to this point of the parliamentary session where MSPs pack up and return to their patch for the summer.

Being in the capital through the week is essential in bringing important local matters to the attention of everyone else, not least ministers, legislators and decision-makers.

But it can feel far away from the Highlands and Islands, both in geographical terms and culturally, and too long away from this part of the world is unhealthy for the likes of me.

The parliamentary recess which kicks in next week will allow me to embark on my summer surgery tour, covering several hundred miles across one of the largest political beats in Europe.

These adventures give me the opportunity to properly speak to people and businesses in every corner of the region.

That includes stops in Scrabster, Thurso, Wick, Lybster and Helmsdale in July.

Of course, I hear from these people all the time, and am in regular contact through letter, email and telephone.

But being there in their environment, seeing for yourself the challenges faced, and being able to look people in the eye as they tell their story is vital for a politician’s work.

The second I leave for these journeys I know I’m not going to regret it.

It may be “part of the job”, but it’s also a pleasure to visit some of the most beautiful towns and villages in the UK.

I already know some of the issues likely to come up, and want to speak about them in more depth.

The renewable energy revolution is having a severe impact, both in the form of onshore wind farms and, more recently, the infrastructure required to facilitate offshore projects.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are a topic we had barely heard of a few years ago, but now they are very much at the forefront for people concerned about the safety and sanctity of their community.

While on the road I will no doubt see my fair share of campervans using the North Coast 500 and other attractive routes.

I know the majority of these users are responsible and want to preserve the area they love to visit.

But it doesn’t always feel that way, and even a small number of tourists behaving irresponsibly can have a devastating impact on hygiene, scenery and general happiness.

I hope the input and expertise I hear on this tour can help us all form a hard and fast policy which creates a sustainable solution, one which encourages tourism and all the economic benefits it brings, while protecting everyday life for those of us who live here.

As has been publicised already, I will be stepping down as MSP for the Highlands and Islands at the next Holyrood election in 2026.

As such, this will be my final summer tour in this role.

I’ll be recommending to my successors of all parties to spend their summers in a similar way in years to come. There’s no substitute for it.

I’ll be advertising the details of my summer tour in these pages over the coming weeks, so please keep an eye out and come along if you can.

• Edward Mountain is a Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.