From cutting peat to cutting edge wave power, via nuclear and oil and gas, the Highlands and Islands hold a surprising amount of energy. We should think about it, says Magnus Davidson, as an energy region.

The whisky label view of the highlands is of grouse exploding out of the undergrowth into the sky, but soon they will be joined by biodiesel fuelled rockets being launched from a new spaceport in Sutherland.

In a global climate crisis, when people are focused on harnessing low impact traditional ways of life and using new technologies to generate energy and drive a future economy in a way which doesn’t destroy the planet, the Far North has a lot to offer.

Meanwhile, Matt and Pete are confused by oil rigs and wonder how they work…

You can keep up with Magnus on Twitter, where he posts regular insightful comment on the environment, economy, and society from his expert perspective as a researcher at the Environment Research Institute at the University of the Highlands and Islands.