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As committed in the Programme for Government, we will publish an action plan in spring 2020 to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network by 2035. The primary focus will be the continuation of a rolling programme of efficient electrification, the procurement of battery trains and the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion trains. Further detail on how change may affect specific routes, will be set out in the action plan.

Although more seats have been provided in the last few years Abellio ScotRail has further plans to increase peak capacity on the Borders route. However, these plans cannot be implemented until Angel Trains and Wabtec deliver on their contracted programme for refurbished HSTs so that existing upgraded diesel trains used elsewhere on the Scottish network cannot be cascaded to meet the needs of busy Borders services.

The fleet of class 158 and class 170 diesel trains which currently operate on Borders services have completed a significant refurbishment programme which has seen Wi-Fi, wheelchair spaces, power sockets, accessible toilet plus new flooring, seating and lighting installed to deliver the modern facilities that passengers expect. It is apparent that a high quality refurbishment can deliver a passenger experience comparable to new rolling stock whilst offering value for money across the Franchise period.

This is not a matter for Scottish Government. Discussions with parties interested in the purchase of the shipyard would have been directed to, and handled by, the appointed administrators of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W- 25908 on 11 November 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at  ”

The Scottish Government supports schools and communities through its funded bodies to promote culture and heritage using digital technology. The National Collections, Creative Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, National Performing Companies and the Scottish Library and Information Council all have exciting and innovative digital projects in place which allow users access to a wealth of culture and heritage resources.

These include: digital learning resources that are linked to many areas of Curriculum for Excellence which cover resources for both Primary and Secondary school age students; funding to support innovative ways for people to use public libraries in communities across Scotland; and working with vulnerable young people to explore themes from current repertoire through dance, music, visual art and digital media.

There are also programmes which have seen young people co-designing digital outputs such as music recordings, videos, virtual tours and on-line resources, and programme which develop participants’ digital skills.

The definitions reflected in our strategy, ‘A Connected Scotland’, are drawn from the NHS Health Scotland review of social isolation and loneliness prevalence and trends.

Social isolation refers to when an individual has an objective lack of social relationships (in terms of quality and/or quantity) at individual group, community and societal levels.

Loneliness is a subjective feeling experienced when there is a difference between the social relationships we would like to have and those we actually have.

£36m has been made available through the Digital Growth Fund to date.

The Digital Development Loan is the first programme delivering under the Digital Growth Fund.

Since the Digital Development Loan was launched 50 businesses have been supported by the Digital Growth Fund.

As committed in the Programme for Government, we will publish an action plan in spring 2020 to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network by 2035. The primary focus will be the continuation of a rolling programme of efficient electrification, the procurement of battery trains and the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion trains. Further detail on how change may affect specific routes, will be set out in the action plan.

Scotland is recognised as the Home of Golf and it is a recognition we are proud of with an estimated 700,000 rounds of golf played by our visitors each year. Just this year, we have hosted five top-class golf events, including the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles which has raised the profile of golfing across Scotland, the UK and internationally. This builds on our reputation for hosting successful international golfing events including the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews.

These events stimulate new interest and investment and we are keen that the benefits of golf tourism are spread across Scotland. To achieve this, South of Scotland Golf has been invited to join the Golf Tourism Development Group. VisitScotland has recently supported paid marketing campaigns in partnership with South of Scotland Golf and it continues to promote golf tourism in the South of Scotland through its regular activity, including hosting information on its website and through its targeted marketing.

The Scottish Government has also provided VisitScotland with £500k to take forward the See South Scotland campaign which is promoting the whole of the South of Scotland as a destination for authentic and outdoor experiences.