October/November 2015 - Highlands and Islands Enterprise

ISLE OF HARRIS
DISTILLERY
£10M LOCHBOISDALE
INVESTMENT
50 YEARS OF
PROGRESS
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Page 05
Special Feature
lights
Building our future across the Highlands and Islands
October/November 2015
Issue No. 19
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was the keynote speaker at a business reception hosted by HIE and the Institute of Directors in Inverness on 21 October.
The reception was part of a series of HIE events marking 50 years of economic and community development in the Highlands and Islands.
WELCOME / FÀILTE
Welcome to HIElights, a regular update on the activities of Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (HIE).
HIE is a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, with a unique remit
which integrates economic and community development. Active across half of Scotland, from
Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray, HIE pursues four priorities to achieve
sustainable growth:
• Supporting businesses and social enterprises to shape and realise their growth aspirations
• Strengthening communities and fragile areas
• Developing growth sectors, particularly distinctive regional opportunities
IN THIS ISSUE
Nigg quayside expansion
An Lanntair celebrates 10 years
Stramash expands north
Census reveals social enterprise impact
Superfast broadband reaches
135,000 premises
Skye air study launched
• Creating the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region
HIE has an annual budget of almost £97m and employs around 300 people based
in locations around the Highlands and Islands.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Stay up to date with HIE’s work across the
Highlands and Islands at www.hie.co.uk or
follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
www.hie.co.uk
Page 02
October/November 2015
OUR
PRIORITIES
Supporting businesses and social enterprises
to shape and realise their growth aspirations
A’ toirt taic do ghnìomhachasan is iomairtean sòisealta
gus na h-amasan aca a dhealbhachadh agus a’ ruigsinn
JOBS BOOST WITH ORKNEY JEWELLERY FIRM
An estimated nine full-time and seven parttime jobs will be created over the next three
years in a new development by Sheila Fleet
Jewellery in Orkney.
HIE is investing £166,000 in the project, which
includes a new visitor centre in a disused
church next to the existing workshop and
shop. It also includes a new casting workshop
and improvements to the existing workshop.
As a result, the business will be more efficient,
more productive and employ more people.
Ruth Kirkpatrick, HIE’s head of business
growth in Orkney, said: “This is great news
for Sheila Fleet Jewellery and for Orkney. It
will add to Orkney’s tourism offering, create
an excellent visitor attraction for the east
mainland and increase visitors to this part of
Orkney. And of course it will provide valuable
job opportunities as well as spin-off benefits
for other businesses in the east mainland and
linked south isles.”
The new jobs created will be in production
(workshop, enamelling, casting) as well as in
the visitor centre. The casting area will help
create at least four full-time jobs and one parttime; and the visitor centre will create four full
time and five part time posts. There will also
be a requirement for another full-time post
in administration as well as one more parttime post.
The disused church next to Sheila
Fleet Jewellery will be developed
into a visitor centre (photo
courtesy of Sheila Fleet Jewellery)
The HIE funding will ensure that the visitor
centre and the casting workshop developments
can be carried out simultaneously, ensuring
the production area is ready to meet the
increased demand the visitor centre will bring.
Sheila Fleet said: “We are very much looking
forward to this exciting development. Once
complete in October 2016 it will mark 50 years
of my career in jewellery design. It will highlight
some of the work I have done in the past and
present as well as the part the Church has
played in the local community. I could not have
got to this point without the great support of
my family and wider team of talented staff and
loyal customers.”
NIGG QUAYSIDE
OPENING
Alex Paterson (left) and Roy Macgregor (right) at the opening of Nigg quayside by Andy Samuel
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
HIE’s chief executive, Alex Paterson, joined
Global Energy Group Chairman, Roy
MacGregor, and Andy Samuel, CEO of UK Oil
and Gas Authority in September at the official
launch of Global Energy’s new quayside
facilities at Nigg Energy Park. HIE invested
£3.68 million in the development, which is
expected to create up to 600 jobs. It includes
a 1,000 metre deep-water quayside space,
in addition to dry dock facility with supporting
fabrication and lay down areas. The
development will ensure the port is primed to
exploit the increasing opportunities in offshore
wind, oil, gas and subsea industries.
www.hie.co.uk
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October/November 2015
Argyll and the Islands Tourism Co-operative took part in HIE’s Digital Tourism pilot (photo courtesy of AITC)
BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM DIGITAL TOURISM SUPPORT
HIE is running a series of webinars to help
tourism businesses keep up to date with digital
technology. Topics being covered include
making and using video, mobile technology,
digital marketing and the future of digital. More
information is available on the HIE website.
Meanwhile, a Digital Scotland Tourism
Programme will be implemented across
Scotland later this year.
This follows HIE’s Highlands and Islands
Digital Tourism pilot in June, run with support
from the European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF) and Digital Scotland. Sixty
tourism businesses from across the region
took part in digital master classes on Analytics,
Movies for Mobile and Social Media Strategy.
Each business received specialist advice from
a digital adviser and were invited to apply for
a Digital Innovation Grant. Seven projects
received support to further realise their
digital ambitions. These include the North
Highland Initiative who have invested in
redevelopment of their North Coast 500
website and mobile app.
The project’s Claire Farquahar, said: “Learning
how to create short movies and clips has been
really useful and we hope to utilise this new
knowledge with our North Coast 500 project
where this type of communication will be
particularly effective.”
Several businesses in Argyll also benefited,
including the Isle of Eriska Hotel. The
business’s Beppo Buchanan-Smith, said: “The
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
participation in the digital pilot was invaluable
for us to firstly benchmark our progress in
the digital economy and secondly to set out
a roadmap to develop further to enhance our
visibility and increase our interaction in this
growing marketplace.”
Carron Tobin of the Argyll and the Islands
Tourism Co-operative added: “The training
proved very useful for AITC providing an
insight into what is possible for our own
purposes but also for the businesses we
represent. It also provided some very
worthwhile hands on training which could be
applied there and then. The programme was
exceptionally good at highlighting the digital
possibilities for tourism businesses but also
the practical steps to take that would make
these work for each business.”
www.hie.co.uk
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October/November 2015
IOHD Chairman, Anderson Bakewell (centre) hosted the opening
HARRIS DISTILLERY OPENED BY THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS
Food and drink is one sector which has
exceeded growth expectations in the region
since government supported economic
development fifty years ago.
The distillery will bring a hugely important
economic boost to the island, ultimately
providing 20 vital jobs in an area where longterm employment is difficult to find.
The latest food and drink company to open
its doors is the Isle of Harris Distillery, the
culmination of a seven year drive to establish
the Hebridean island’s first commercial whisky
distillery.
Isle of Harris Distillers will be producing the
equivalent of 300,000 bottles a year of its
single malt The Hearach, the Gaelic word for
an inhabitant of Harris. Following maturation,
production is expected to begin in 2019.
Advance orders have already been made.
Alex Paterson, HIE chief executive, said: “This
is a historic day for Harris, and I am delighted
that joined up public-sector support from HIE,
the Scottish Government and the Scottish
Investment Bank has enabled the backers of
this new venture to bring their ambitious plans
to fruition.”
STRAMASH EXPANDS NORTH
An Argyll based social enterprise, formed six
years ago and account managed by HIE, has
expanded north.
Stramash’s services include outdoor preschool nurseries; primary and secondary
school programmes; adventure tourism;
and outdoor sports development. Stramash
is Scotland’s biggest provider of outdoor
education apprenticeships and only provider of
specialist outdoor early years apprenticeships.
It has expanded into Lochaber, Inverness
and Moray, increasing its staff complement
from one in 2009 to 23.5 full time equivalent
posts. Turnover has increased from £60,000
to £634,000, and is forecast to reach £1
million within three years. Grant income has
decreased from 80% of turnover to 20%.
The social enterprise model is founded on
a social purpose that is as important as the
commercial dimension to the business.
Stramash helps people benefit from the
opportunities for personal, social, emotional
and educational development offered by the
outdoors, while at the same time helping to
safeguard the outdoor environment.
Founder, Neil Urquhart, said: “Through the
work of our dedicated staff at each campus we
aim to have a positive impact on the personal,
social and educational development of our
children and young people. We are working
closely with HIE to bring the positive benefits
of our work to as many of Scotland’s children
as possible.”
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
HIE has invested £99,000 in a new Stramash
campus in Elgin, opened in August to help
meet increasing demand for pre-school
placements in the area. Over the next three
years the campus will offer up to 32 child
placements, create 4.3 full time equivalent
jobs and a further four apprenticeships.
Claire Simers, HIE’s account manager
for Stramash, said: “This most recent
development will create jobs and provide a
valuable service to the community, adding
to the region’s general appeal as a place to
live, work, study and invest. I am delighted we
are able to help Stramash shape and realise
its growth aspirations and further develop its
sustainability.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
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OUR
PRIORITIES
Strengthening communities and fragile areas
A’ neartachadh choimhearsnachdan agus sgìrean dùbhlanach
NEW £10M PORT OPENS IN LOCHBOISDALE
The £10 million port of entry at Lochboisdale,
South Uist opened in September. The
regeneration project by Stòras Uibhist creates
new marine and leisure facilities and provides
access to land for community, residential and
commercial development.
It includes two causeways, two breakwaters,
a road along Rubha Bhuailt to Gasaigh Island,
a new fishery pier, a slipway, pontoon berths
and facilities for fishermen and leisure sailors.
HIE supported the feasibility and design
stages of the project and contributed £5m
to construction. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
contributed £625k and the project was
also backed by the European Regional
Development
Fund
(ERDF),
Scottish
Government and BIG Lottery.
Opening the facility, Deputy First Minister John
Swinney, said: “The Lochboisdale port of entry
will make a huge contribution to the economy
of the Western Isles, helping tourism and
other local industries to flourish and pursue
the kind of inclusive growth which benefits the
entire community.”
Deputy First Minister, John Swinney
(centre), at the opening of the new port
Rachel Mackenzie, HIE area manager in the
Outer Hebrides, added: “We have worked with
Stòras Uibhist for almost a decade, supporting
the buyout of the estate in 2006.
“Our aim has been to enable the community
to generate powerful social and economic
impacts through the growth of population
and business opportunities in South Uist,
and it is wonderful to see the benefits of our
investments now being realised.”
HIE ASKED TO DELIVER NEW SCOTTISH LAND FUND
Scottish Ministers have asked HIE to work
with Big Lottery Scotland to deliver the new
Scottish Land Fund (SLF), which runs from
2016-2020. In addition to a four-fold increase
in its budget to £10 million a year, the Fund
will extend to urban areas thus enabling all
communities in Scotland, not just rural ones,
to benefit.
HIE has been working with Big Lottery
Scotland since 2012 delivering the current
SLF which closes on 9th Nov 2015. Through
this Fund, Scottish Government has awarded
£10.2 million to 48 community groups. £7.8m
of this has been invested in the Highlands and
Islands, benefiting 31 communities.
The most recent awards totalled £443,000.
Scourie Community Development Company
received £54,000 to buy 1.76 hectares of
land as part of plans to develop Scotland’s
first Geopark. The Morvern Community
Development Company was awarded
£127,000 to buy land in Lochaline under
the National Forest Land Scheme. The
Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust Ltd
was awarded £28,200 to buy 2.22 hectares of
land in Inverness-shire. This will be developed
to provide an area of green-space within the
village for social, recreational and sporting
activities that will help contribute to the health
and well-being of the community.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Also in Inverness-shire, the Glengarry
Community Woodlands group was awarded
£224,000 to buy Glengarry Wood and the
former Forestry Commission Depot at
Invergarry, bringing 30 hectares of woodland
into community ownership.
Ailsa Raeburn, head of Community Assets
from HIE, said: “The latest round of awards
will help the Highland communities bring
land into community ownership. This will give
communities the resources and control they
need to deliver exciting projects for the benefit
of the people living in and visiting the areas.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
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HIE’s Neil Ross presents a social enterprise
award to pupils from Dingwall Primary School
PUPILS
RECOGNISED
FOR ENTERPRISE
Six Highlands and Islands schools received
recognition at an event in September for
creating social enterprises. HIE and the Social
Enterprise Academy hosted the event, which
included a marketplace set up by the schools.
Nomadic Graphic image of sculpture – courtesy of Dalziel + Scullion
NOMADIC BOULDERS INSTALLED
AT JOHN O’GROATS
A new sculpture commissioned by HIE is being
unveiled at John O’ Groats on 31 October to
mark the town’s transformation.
Award winning artists Dalziel + Scullion
created the ‘Nomadic Boulders’ sculpture
to celebrate the natural occurrence of large
boulders on the seabed of the Pentland Firth
rolling backwards and forwards with the tides.
Some of the fastest and strongest currents
in the world are found in the Pentland Firth.
Research shows that boulders on the seabed,
thought to range from 25cm to 100cm
diameter, travel significant distances with
every 12 hour tide cycle depending on the
ferocity of tides and currents.
The sculpture uses local boulders that
appeared on a beach after a storm two
years ago, suspended on three great arcs of
painted bronze.
The artwork is part of wider development of
John O’ Groats and will be a focal point for
locals and visitors in the heart of the village.
GLOBAL ACADEMICS
GATHER IN FORRES
Academics from Italy, Turkey, Egypt,
Singapore, Australia and the UK were in Forres
in September for the inaugural Wellbeing by
Design research conference.
The event was hosted by HIE and The
Glasgow School of Art’s Institute of Design
Innovation (InDI). Delegates presented
research exploring issues including social
isolation and loneliness, health inequalities,
connectivity in remote and rural regions, and
fragile communities.
The conference brought together practitioners
and researchers from Masters, Doctoral
and Post-doctoral communities whose
shared interests and research use design
approaches to support communities to live
well. It also encouraged peer to peer learning
across Postgraduate taught degrees, Doctoral
degrees and beyond, as well as offering
mentoring and guidance between the levels of
study and work.
Andrew Anderson, head of partnerships at HIE
in Moray, said: “HIE and GSA have formed
the Creative Futures Partnership, which is
already bringing benefits to both organisations
and the communities in which we work. This
conference, which attracted international
attention, demonstrated the innovative
approach promoted by the partnership.”
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Aldourie Primary School created a healthyeating smoothie bar and tuck shop to enable
them to adopt a Moray Firth dolphin. Altnaharra
Primary made a midge and tick repellent soap
for sale at local lodges and B&Bs to raise
funds for MFR’s Cash for Kids. Dingwall
Primary pupils have been making and selling
healthy dog biscuits to support the training of
more hearing dogs, following a hearing dog
visit to the school’s deaf unit.
Pupils from Elgin High School formed
four different social enterprises to support
Cedarwood Day Centre for adults with
learning difficulties. These include a candle
business, a smoothie bar, a gaming group and
a regular coffee morning. Fortrose Academy
pupils made and sold beaded jewellery from
magazine paper to raise money to help
fund an exchange with Mulanje Mission
Community Day School in Malawi. They also
shared their crafting skills with young women
in Malawi so they can create businesses of
their own. The successful pupil-led social
enterprise, Speycraft, at Speyside High
School sells Traidcraft merchandise and has
raised awareness of the fair trade movement
throughout Speyside and Moray.
Rachael McCormack, HIE director of
strengthening communities, said: “I’m glad
we can play a part in facilitating these sorts of
projects. The creativity and enterprise shown
by these pupils is a great illustration of the
sense of pride and community involvement
we are seeing from young people across the
Highlands and Islands. In a year where we
are marking 50 years of development agency
support, this project is another contribution to
the empowerment of the next generation of
social entrepreneurs for our region.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
Page 07
AN LANNTAIR GOES FROM
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Stornoway social enterprise An Lanntair has
strengthened its position as the principal arts
centre in Lewis and improved its prospects
following a period of transition with support
from HIE.
The multi-arts hub for creativity in the Outer
Hebrides serves as art gallery, theatre,
cinema, dance studio, concert hall, and
platform for poetry and literature. This is a
double anniversary year for An Lanntair, as it
celebrates its 30th birthday and 10 years in its
current premises on Stornoway seafront. HIE
provided practical and financial help through
account management, working with Comhairle
nan Eilean Siar and Creative Scotland.
The aim of the process was to develop a vision,
identify changes needed to achieve that vision
and implement those changes effectively. Part
of the process was the appointment a year ago
of chief executive, Elly Fletcher. Since then An
Lanntair has opened the HebCelt Festival with
the first show from its Between Islands project,
which has seen singer songwriters from the
Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland come
together to write, record and tour. In May it
launched a new exhibition, with Move On
Up TV, of the sets from the award-winning
children’s BBC TV series, Katie Morag, and
artwork from the author and illustrator, Mairi
Hedderwick. Will Maclean’s landmark Fiaradh
Gun lar/Veering Westerly exhibition ran at
An Lanntair until September, and Faclan, the
Hebridean Book Festival launched in October.
An Lanntair also led the Lewis and Harris
partnership’s successful application for
Creative Scotland’s Creative Place Award,
both an accolade and a £125,000 grant to take
forward a programme of collaborative arts
activities and projects over the next two years.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IMPACT REVEALED
The size and impact of Scotland’s social
enterprise sector was revealed for the first
time in a large-scale census published in
September. The research confirms Scotland
as a world-leading nation in nurturing social
enterprise, and recognises social enterprise
as a fairer and more inclusive way of doing
business.
The Highlands and Islands accounts for 9%
of Scotland’s population and yet it is home
to 22% of social enterprises. The largest
concentration is in Argyll and the Islands,
Inner Moray Firth, Lochaber, Skye and
Wester Ross. Social enterprises in the region
contribute £130 million to Scotland’s economy
and employ 7,315 people. They have an
important role in promoting equality, creating
employment, and providing services that
improve health and wellbeing.
HIE is one of the organisations involved
in commissioning the study. Director of
strengthening
communities,
Rachael
McCormack, said: “This excellent report
confirms the scale and vital contribution
of social enterprise to society and to the
economy in the Highlands and Islands and
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
30-year-old An Lanntair celebrates 10 years in its centre
The furniture warehouse of New Start Highland
to Scotland as a whole. Social enterprise is a
business model that helps tackle social issues,
promote equality and achieve sustainable
economic growth.
“These are the reasons we attach so
much importance to social enterprise and
are working with social entrepreneurs to
strengthen leadership, innovation and the
business dimension of their enterprises.
Working together in this way will help achieve
our shared ambition to grow the social
enterprise community year on year.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
OUR
PRIORITIES
Developing growth sectors, particularly
distinctive regional opportunities
A’ leasachadh roinnean fàis, gu
h-àraidh cothroman sònraichte na sgìre
PILOT POP UP EVENT FOCUSES
ON HIGHLAND BEER AND CIDER
Award winning beer and cider were sampled
in London at an exclusive pop-up event in
September, supported by HIE.
Held at Startisans, an indoor food and drink
market in the heart of Covent garden, the very
first Highland Craft Beer and Cider Festival
was held during Scotland’s Year of Food and
Drink 2015.
Page 08
The seven Highland companies were: Loch
Ness Brewery; Loch Ness Cider Company;
Cairngorm
Brewery;
Wooha
Brewing
Company; Spey Valley Brewery; Keith
Brewery Ltd; and Speyside Craft Brewery.
Caroline Maclellan, development manager
at HIE, said: “As part of Scotland’s Year of
Food and Drink 2015, our craft beer and cider
producers from the Highlands were given an
excellent opportunity when they attended this
Sam Faircliff of Cairngorm Brewery
at Startisans in London
event and met potential new suppliers from
around the UK. They showcased their produce
and we were delighted to be supporting them
to do so.”
More than 300 people attended the event
which was deemed a huge success for the
Festival’s debut and plans are afoot for the
Highland breweries to make a return to
London in 2016.
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS FOOD
AND DRINK IN LONDON
Six food and drink companies from the
Highlands and Islands showcased their
products on the Scottish Pavilion at the
Speciality and Fine Food Fair at London
Olympia in September.
Under the flag of the Scottish Pavilion were
Baxter’s, Cullisse Highland Rapeseed
Oil, Stag Bakeries, The Hebridean Food
Company, Henshelwoods Fine Foods and
Walkers Shortbread.
The tradeshow for local, regional and artisan
food and drink producers was the biggest yet
with more than 12,000 visitors over the three
days.
Elaine Jamieson, head of food and drink at
HIE, said: “The event gave businesses a
very real opportunity to get into new markets
and win more orders. It is fantastic to see our
region represented at events such as this in
London, and others right across the world, by
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
such high quality businesses. HIE is delighted,
during the Year of Food and Drink Scotland
2015, to be working with our industry partners,
Scotland Food and Drink to make sure
businesses right across our region get the
most from this event.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
SCOTLAND’S ADVENTURE
TOURISM RESEARCH PUBLISHED
Digital technology could be the key to
unlocking the potential of adventure tourism in
the region according to a new HIE report.
Adventure tourism includes a range of
activities such as walking and climbing,
cycling, snowsports, river and marine
activities and wildlife watching. Entitled
Adventure Tourism in Scotland, the new report
assesses the scale and potential opportunities
for the sector. It builds on the national strategy
Tourism Scotland 2020 and is the first crucial
step in helping shape a range of interventions
over the next ten years designed to make
Scotland a world leader in adventure tourism.
The report identified that there are significant
opportunities to develop the use of digital
technologies which could help open up
new markets, improve ease of access for
customers and bring Scotland’s facilities in
line with those from other countries around
the world.
HIE’s Audrey Maclennan, said: “The next step
is to meet with key partners to find ways to
make the most of our impressive adventure
tourism offering and look at ways to overcome
the barriers in order to bring further economic
benefits to Scotland.”
Page 09
PAIGE ON TOUR
THANKS TO YOUTH
ACCELERATOR
Twenty one year old Paige Campbell from
Inverness has been touring internationally
with a Lewis singer-songwriter after taking
part in HIE’s Youth Employment Accelerator
programme.
The programme, the first of its kind in Scotland,
is run in partnership with Inverness venue,
The Ironworks. It gives young people the
opportunity to experience the world of working
in the creative and media sectors.
Following her time at The Ironworks, Paige
got the opportunity to tour manage singersongwriter, Miss Irenie Rose, on several dates
across Sweden.
As part of the tour, Paige has been working
with Kulturingdom - a Swedish Development
agency for Creative Industries, and national
Swedish promoters. She has been organising
logistics, promotion and venues and
supporting Miss Irenie Rose on national TV
and radio. Paige will also be accompanying
the performer in forthcoming shows in Belgium
and Norway.
FOOD AND DRINK
- ACCESS TO
MARKETS REVIEW
Over the past four years the HIE Access to
Markets programme has helped generate
additional sales of over £4.5 million for
businesses in the region, and more than 300
jobs. This is according to an independent
review of the programme.
Access to Markets is a national programme
which helps Scottish food and drink producers
to identify and exploit new market opportunities
in both retail and food service markets of
the UK. Review authors, ekosgen, found
that HIE based businesses valued Access
to Markets even more highly than their
counterparts in lowland Scotland, reflecting
the
additional
challenges
surrounding
their distance from buyers and the major
UK markets.
The Adventure Tourism in Scotland report assesses the scale and potential for the sector
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Scotland Food and Drink runs the Scottish
Pavilion at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair
in London each year and this was fully booked
months before the event; testament to the
importance of the event and Access to Markets
for Scottish food and drink businesses.
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
Page 10
DESIGN EVENTS PROGRAMME UNDERWAY
Representatives from top design companies
have been sharing their experience and
expertise with businesses and designers in a
programme of events taking place across the
Highlands and Islands.
The events have been hosted by the
Design Network, an internationally linked,
entrepreneurial
design
and
research
network forming part of the Creative Futures
Partnership between The Glasgow School of
Art (GSA) and HIE.
The network offers communities and
businesses across the Highlands and Islands
access to national and international design
expertise through a range of formal and
informal events. Its programme will also be
aligned with the research and teaching work
of The Glasgow School of Art.
Iain Aitchison, director of London-based design
strategy consultancy, Plan, David Freer, cofounder of boutique design studio, O Street,
and Don McIntyre from the GSA’s Institute of
Design Innovation have taken part in events in
Inverness, Oban and Lerwick. Further events
will take place elsewhere across the region as
the programme develops.
Iain Hamilton, head of creative industries at
HIE, said: “The Design Network will give voice
to the design community across the region.
The idea is that it will grow along with the
businesses themselves, and by recognising
the skills and talents already in the area we
can all work together to grow this reputation
far beyond the region.”
CONFERENCE MARKED 50 YEARS OF ENERGY
Building on the success of 50 years of
energy in the Highlands and Islands was at
the heart of the Marine Energy Conference
in September. HIE collaborated again with
Scottish Renewables to bring the conference
to Inverness for the sixth year.
Since government supported economic
development was introduced for the region
in 1965, the energy sector has been a huge
influence on the region’s fortunes. The 60s
saw the UK’s prototype fast reactor arrive in
Dounreay, stimulating supply chain activity
and developing exportable technology. The
70s was dominated by North Sea oil, while
the 80s saw the arrival of wind, wave and
biomass.
Consolidation and maturity of the oil industry
took place in the 90s while HIE focused on
diversifying the supply chain and encouraging
inward investment, as well as renewable
energy opportunities.
After the turn of the century, community
ownership of energy developments came to
the forefront. HIE’s Community Energy Unit
evolved into a stand-alone social enterprise
delivering community energy projects across
the region, while the European Marine
Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney cemented
Scotland’s global lead in marine renewables.
Scotland, and the Highlands and Islands in
particular, is one of Europe’s most energy
resource rich locations with 25% of offshore
wind, 25% of tidal resource and 10% of wave
power. An estimated 15,500 people in the
region are employed in energy industries and
HIE account manages 150 energy businesses.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
HIE’s Calum Davidson
addresses the conference
Calum Davidson, HIE’s director of energy
and low carbon, said: “The conference
demonstrated to an international audience
how Scotland has taken a fledgling marine
renewable energy industry focussed on
R&D through to full stage testing at EMEC in
Orkney, and is now using that knowledge and
experience to build out the first commercial
scale projects.
“It’s only 12 months since the Scottish
Government asked us to set up Wave Energy
Scotland, which has already announced
£7 million of funding to support technology
development, with more in the pipeline.
MeyGen meanwhile is a great example of
partnership working between the public and
private sector; a model pioneered in the
setting up of the HIDB, in 1965.”
www.hie.co.uk
Page 11
October/November 2015
OUR
PRIORITIES
Creating the conditions for
a competitive and low carbon region
A’ cruthachadh àrainneachd airson sgìre
le comas farpais is nas lugha de charbon
SUPERFAST BROADBAND AVAILABLE TO 135,000 PREMISES
More than 135,000 premises across the
Highlands and Islands can now access highspeed fibre broadband. The Digital Scotland
Superfast Broadband project led by HIE has
enabled 95,000 of these to access the service.
Homes and businesses in parts of
Drumnadrochit are among the latest to be
able to order the service after the first two
green street cabinets became live. Over the
coming months services will become available
for many additional premises in the town and
in Dochgarroch, Dores, Foyers, Glenmoriston,
and Glenurquhart.
Work on the ground is being carried out by
BT Openreach with funding from the Scottish
Government and Broadband Delivery UK
(BDUK) as well as HIE and BT. Customers
can check their own phone number on the
interactive map at hie.co.uk/whereandwhen
and if available can order the new services
from their provider.
BT’s Robert Thorburn and HIE’s Stuart Robertson launch superfast broadband in Drumnadrochit
FOURTH
PLOT UNDER
DEVELOPMENT
AT INVERNESS
CAMPUS
Ruaraidh MacNeil, project director at HIE’s
Inverness
Campus
development,
has
welcomed the news that a fourth plot is now
under development.
The University of the Highlands and Islands has
signed a £44 million agreement with specialist
student residences developer, Cityheart, to
build and operate student residences across
the Highlands and Islands. This includes a
150 bed student accommodation project on
Inverness Campus near Inverness College
UHI. The building project is due to be
completed in time for new students arriving in
September 2016.
HIE’s Ruaraidh MacNeil (left) with representatives of Cityheart,
Robertson Construction and Inverness College
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Ruaraidh MacNeil said: “It’s great to see work
get underway on this project, the fourth on the
Campus, which will have a significant impact
for the college, the city of Inverness and wider
region in the coming years.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
Valerie Hodgkinson based in Applecross and
now home working as a graphic designer
as a result of the broadband connection
COMMUNITY BROADBAND UPDATE
A number of projects are underway across
Scotland to deliver faster broadband services
to rural communities not expected to benefit
from the BT commercial and Digital Scotland
Superfast Broadband rollout.
Community Broadband Scotland (CBS), a
Scottish Government project led by HIE, is
working with communities in Argyll, East Fife,
the Cairngorms National Park area and North
Skye to develop aggregated projects, where
a number of communities work together to
develop a shared broadband network. A
similar approach is also being looked at for
some areas of East Lothian.
Elsewhere a number of small scale CBS
projects, including Lunan Valley in Perthshire,
are preparing to release tenders, and existing
projects such as Sleat and Locheil are seeking
to extend their reach. CBS is also planning a
supplier conference to ensure the marketplace
is ready for the increase in projects coming
forward.
The benefits of CBS are now coming to
light through its earliest supported projects.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Page 12
Drumfearn relay on the Skyenet network
(Sleat Community Trust). (from left to right);
Jamie Graham (MacPherson Electrical),
Simon Helliwell (Rural Broadband Networks),
John Norman MacPherson (MacPherson
Electrical) and Ian Bolas (RBN)
Tormore relay station above Applecross Village. Present
are Alison MacLeod, Development Officer for AppleNet;
Zoe Laird, Director, CBS and Calum Stiven CBS Advisor.
In Applecross, Valerie Hodgkinson is now
working from home as a result of the
community broadband network, AppleNet.
(see Photo).”
Zoe Laird, CBS director, said: “Our role is to
help rural communities least likely to benefit
from the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband
rollout to establish their own networks. I am
delighted we are able to support so many
communities in this respect, and help them
capitalise on the many benefits that faster
broadband can bring to living, working and
learning in rural areas.”
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
Page 13
STUDY INTO SKYE
AIR SERVICE
HIE has commissioned a study into the
economic benefits of re-establishing air
services between Skye and the central belt.
The project follows a feasibility study in 2013
which recommended further work to explore
the wider economic and social benefits of reintroducing air services. A key part of the study
will be consultation with a wide range of local
businesses and community organisations.
Stuart MacPherson of HIE said: “Air services
from and to small rural airports can play a key
role in the communities they serve, creating
a sense of connectedness, providing life-line
services and supporting economic growth.
Skye is over two hours from the nearest airport
and at least a five hour drive to the central belt.
We need to be clear about the full extent of the
benefits of reintroducing a regular air service
for the island and surrounding area as this will
help inform the business case to re-establish
the service.”
The existing air strip in Ashaig, Broadford
served as a gateway to the island from 1972
to 1988.
REPORT ON
SHETLAND
WORKERS’
ACCOMMODATION
A HIE commissioned report into the availability
of workers’ accommodation in Shetland has
recommended encouraging the private sector
to develop housing, and industry and training
organisations to help more local people
develop construction and engineering skills.
Shetland’s Community Planning Partnership
is considering the report and how best to
make the most of available opportunities.
Rachel Hunter, Shetland area manager
for HIE said: “The provision of additional
accommodation in for workers Shetland will
help unlock the potential for further economic
growth.
“There are continuing opportunities for the
private sector in housing development.
Meanwhile through the partnership we are
working with other agencies to decide how
best to target our efforts in Shetland.”
MASTERPLAN APPROVED
FOR LEANACHAN FOREST
A ‘masterplan’ outlining how the area around
Leanachan Forest could be developed for
tourism was approved by The Highland
Council’s Lochaber Area Committee in August.
Produced by Forest Enterprise Scotland
and HIE, the masterplan could kick-start a
positive transformation around the Nevis
Range. Its aim is to develop a high quality
experience for a range of visitors to the area
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Leanachan - Artist impression of potential
development. Image courtesy of Forest
Enterprise Scotland
while ensuring all infrastructure is in keeping
with the environment. It includes plans for a
luxury 80-bed hotel and/or high quality forest
lodges. An area close to the Nevis Range for
cabins, yurts, bunkhouses or camping is also
proposed, along with improved road access
from the A82, better signage, car parking and
landscaping. The masterplan can be viewed at
http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/leanachan
www.hie.co.uk
October/November 2015
Page 14
ENGAGEMENT
Working with government and parliament
Ag obair leis an riaghaltas agus a’ Phàrlamaid
HIE RECEIVES SCDI PRESIDENT’S AWARD
HIE received this year’s SCDI President’s
Award for Outstanding Contribution to
Scotland at the Highlands & Islands Business
Excellence Awards 2015 in September.
SCDI chair, Brendan Dick, made the surprise
presentation on behalf of SCDI President,
Lady Susan Rice CBE, in recognition of the
contribution HIE, and its predecessor HIDB,
have made to Scotland over the past 50 years.
Brendan Dick, said: “Over these past 50 years,
the Highlands and Islands Development Board,
and subsequently Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, have shown what can be achieved
Alex Paterson (left) and Professor
Lorne Crerar, receive SCDI President’s
award from Brendan Dick
by an organisation focused on the economic
and community needs of an area. Through
continued recognition of the challenges faced
across the Highlands and Islands region,
through drive and determination, and through
a listening ear and supportive action, HIE
have been a tremendous asset for Scotland.”
businesses and collaboration from partner
organisations, has helped to bring about
a remarkable transformation in the region.
Population has increased, unemployment
is lower than average and several growth
sectors such as life sciences, renewable
energy and creative industries have emerged.
Professor Lorne Crerar, HIE chairman, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive
this award on behalf of everyone who has
worked with and for HIE and HIDB over
the past fifty years. Their hard work, along
with the ambition of communities and
“While the future will always be our priority,
it does no harm to occasionally remind
ourselves just how far the region has come
and its modern day attractiveness as a place
to live, work, study and invest.”
CANADIAN CONNECTION
Michael Hoher of the Columbia Basin Trust in
British Columbia visited HIE in September. The
CBT is a regional development corporation
for an area between Vancouver and Calgary;
roughly the size of Scotland but with only
3.3% of its population. The Trust wanted
to better understand HIE’s approaches to
community and economic development, given
the similarities in remits. Michael met with a
number of HIE staff including Alex Paterson,
Carroll Buxton and Alastair Nicolson.
Speaking during his visit, Mr Hoher said: “My
organisation is in its 20th year and we can
certainly see the evolution HIE has taken over
30 years longer and what we can learn from
that in order to solidify our processes and
make our approach to economic development
more professional.”
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
Michael Hoher with Alex Paterson in Inverness
www.hie.co.uk
Page 15
October/November 2015
EVENTS
Recent and upcoming events
Tachartasan ri teachd
TASTE FOR
TOURISM
CONFERENCE
COMMUNITY
CAPACITY
BUILDING
Has Scotland got what it takes to be a global
food tourism destination? This question is the
theme for the Taste for Tourism conference in
Oban on 4 November. HIE is sponsoring the
event as part of a programme of activities to
mark the 50th anniversary. Bringing together
passionate food producers and a wide variety
of tourism businesses keen to capitalise on
Scotland’s magnificent food heritage, this
event will be a key networking opportunity
for all those interested in bringing thousands
more hungry visitors to Scotland. For more
information visit www.tastefortourism.scot
Representatives from more than 30
communities around the Highlands and
Islands gathered in Inverness in October
to share experiences and hear about
help and support available for community
development projects. The Community
Capacity Building workshop was hosted by
HIE’s Strengthening Communities team and
included guest speakers from groups such
as Community Broadband Scotland, Local
Energy Scotland and the Highlands Small
Communities Housing Trust. It covered topics
including funding, social investment, Gaelic
as an asset, and a briefing on the Community
Empowerment Act.
4 November 2015
NATURAL
PRODUCTS
SCOTLAND
CONFERENCE
11 November 2015
SHOWCASING SCOTLAND
As part of the 2015 Year of Food and Drink
celebrations, this year’s Showcasing Scotland
event took place at Gleneagles Hotel on 7-8
October. The event was organised by Scottish
Development International and Scotland
Food and Drink, in partnership with Scottish
Enterprise and HIE. It was the second event
Cairngorm Brewery
representatives meeting a buyer
at Showcasing Scotland
of this type to be run in Scotland and gave
businesses the opportunity to meet buyers
and intermediaries from a range of markets
vital to driving sales in both the UK and
internationally, helping to secure Scotland’s
exporting future.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE | A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN
HIE is sponsoring the Natural Products
Conference, which takes place at the
European Marine Science Park near Oban
on 11 November. The conference is for
businesses and individuals with an interest in
the sustainable development of commercially
valuable products from Scotland’s seas,
coastline, crops and wild sources. It will look
at the technology and processes involved
and provide insight into key topics such as
intellectual property and recruitment.
www.hie.co.uk
lights
www.hie.co.uk
info@hient.co.uk
Published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise,
All images are copyright Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
All written material Crown Copyright.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE
A’ TOGAIL ÀM RI TEACHD DHUINN