HIE FOCUS Magazine issue 5

WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 05

CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

MAKING A SPLASH

A new wave of tourism on the west coast

REAL IMPACT

Hannah Burr talks about her expreience with the IMPACT30 programme

BIG CONNECTIONS

Grimsay goes ultrafast

A STARK LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE

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BE BUSINESS BRAVE

REACHING NEW MARKETS Our programme of support helps businesses from all sectors to enter new overseas markets.

We can help you gain access to a tailor-made package of free advice, information and funding to support you on your journey towards successful international trading.

FIND OUT MORE hie.co.uk/international

CONTENTS 04 Tackling climate change – a role for all

07 Low carbon expertise made in Moray goes global 08 Highland bio-tech innovation wins backing

for war on marine plastic 10 Making a splash on the west coast 14 There’s something in the water

– the unwavering appeal of Loch Ness 17 Entrepreneurship programme has

real IMPACT for jeweller 20 In-house training programme

solves staffing dilemma for major

Caithness employer 22 Building a better future at ports and harbours 26 Oil and gas embraces wind, wave and tidal 28 Sustainable waters – Shetland shows

off its seafood 30 The tiny Hebridean island with big connections 34 Graduates for the future 38 Why I love running my business in Shetland CONTACT US Highlands and Islands Enterprise An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA hie.marketing@hient.co.uk +44 (0)1463 245245 hie.co.uk

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WELCOME TO OUR WINTER EDITION OF FOCUS MAGAZINE This edition is jam-packed with stories from around our region with a focus on climate and our coastal environment.

Living in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, our environment is particularly precious. Our articles on marine tourism on the west coast, the Loch Ness brand and the quality seafood found off Shetland further demonstrate the value of our natural assets to our economy.

We were delighted to have the opportunity to sit down with Chris Stark, chief executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change, to find out what we need to do as individuals and businesses to tackle the crisis. It’s an interesting read and certainly helped reassure me that it’s not too late for us all to take steps to make a real difference.

As 2019 draws to a close, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s been a rocky year, with political, economic and environmental instability, including Brexit and the climate emergency. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a more settled 2020 and, whatever that brings, we will be here to offer our support and encouragement to the thousands of businesses, communities and social enterprises we work alongside each year.

Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will be a fantastic opportunity for the region to promote and celebrate our amazing coastline and the economy and communities that it serves.

Inside this issue you will get a flavour of what’s to come.

I hope you enjoy this edition of FOCUS, which tackles some of our more challenging issues, in terms of responding to the climate crisis, and offers some inspiration too through the stories of ambitious businesses and communities overcoming challenges of geography and connectivity. To me, the rewards of living and working in this region are well worth the efforts. As always, we value your feedback so please do get in touch and let us know your thoughts.

CARROLL BUXTON Interim chief executive

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TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE A ROLE FOR ALL Global climate emergency – can the Highlands and Islands of Scotland make a difference?

This, and other science, told us much about the global trends we need to see in the gases we omit into the atmosphere.

We asked, ‘What is the implication of the UK signing the Paris Agreement?’ The Agreement commits every country in the world to constraining global temperature rise to 2 degrees or lower, from where temperatures stood before the industrial revolution. Achieving that is just about possible, but involves the world doing something remarkable, namely achieving net zero by the 2070s/80s globally.

Elain MacRae, head of energy strategy at HIE, spoke to Chris Stark, chief executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change to find out what we can do.

The global climate emergency is never far from the headlines.

With climate strikes and Extinction Rebellion protests, plastic pollution and extreme weather events, it’s no wonder we’re hearing reports of eco-anxiety.

The Scottish and UK governments have set in law net zero targets of 2045 and 2050 respectively, following recommendations from the UK Committee on Climate Change.

Its report in May 2019 concluded that net zero emissions are necessary, feasible and cost effective within the next 30 years.

So, what can we do?

ELAIN: Since your report in May the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments have all set targets. Why net zero and is there enough time?

CHRIS: Looking at the global issue of climate change, it doesn’t matter where the carbon dioxide comes from, it still adds to the global problem. The IPCC (the body of scientists the UN convenes on climate change) did an amazing piece of work on what it would take to keep temperature thresholds to 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels.

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In considering what the UK and Scotland’s role is in that, our advice was for the UK to reduce its emissions to a net zero by 2050. For Scotland, the target date is 2045 because Scotland has greater capacity to do some of the things that help cut emissions. That means, for example, planting trees, changing the way we use our land and developing new industries, including crucially, carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

We know we can achieve that goal whilst growing the economy.

In some areas that’s harder than others, notably travel, especially air travel, and agriculture.

ELAIN: What are your views on offsetting? Particularly in a business context?

CHRIS: Offsetting is a legitimate strategy as long as those offsets are credible. For example, growing a tree that wouldn’t otherwise be grown or restoring peatland as a carbon store.

The best strategy is to cut emissions first and that comes well ahead of offsetting.

ELAIN: All the action needed is significant, but will it help or hinder economic growth?

CHRIS: The work we did showed that in every sector of the Scottish and UK economies there is potential to cut emissions even further than we previously thought. We advise the government on ways we can do that. The transition must be economy-wide and if you think of it like this, it’s perfectly possible to think of ways to achieve it, whilst continuing to grow the economy.

NET ZERO MUST BE A PRE-CONDITION OF ECONOMIC SUCCESS

ELAIN: Globally, the contribution of Scotland and the UK is small. Surely there are other countries where this is more important. Why should we do this?

CHRIS: The ‘why bother’ question is one of the hardest, and I’m fairly convinced there is a good answer. In raw terms, emissions from Scotland are a fraction of the global total. Over the next 20 years, you can expect the global economy to double. Global infrastructure will probably double even faster. Those big growth markets are not in Scotland or the UK, but elsewhere.

If we build a global economy that doubles in size over 20 years around fossil fuels, we’re stuffed.

It falls to Scotland to help demonstrate the possibility of a thriving modern economy which doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, at least without fossil fuels being burned unabated. Take the offshore wind sector in Scotland, which previously involved incredibly expensive technology. People said it would never come down in price. Offshore wind is now among the cheapest forms of electricity generation. That’s great for our economy and every place in the world that uses offshore wind or plans to in the future. There is an enduring quality to the things we are doing here. The issue is much bigger than the overall emissions we cause in Scotland. We can also say with some confidence that we are demonstrating to the world you can be a clean growth economy. The more countries that join the club and set net zero goals, the cheaper achieving net zero becomes.

We wouldn’t have seen the costs fall in offshore wind unless we’d started on the journey of developing and deploying this essential technology.

ELAIN: How do we support businesses and organisations to make changes?

CHRIS: Focus on the challenge. If it’s clear that net zero is now one of the main things fuelling HIE’s own activity, then it becomes equally clear to the organisations you work with.

Net zero must be a pre-condition of economic success. That will mean something very different to someone working in the agricultural sector to someone in oil and gas, so I recommend HIE gets comfy with what needs to be done in all the sectors you support and use that as the basis for good advice for what needs to come next. Again, it’s not really an environmental mission when you look at it like that. It’s more of an economic story. This whole idea of getting generally focused on net zero is what every participant in the Scottish economy must go through. I think HIE can help with that.

ELAIN: What do we as individuals need to do, day to day, and by when?

CHRIS: The big ones are: how we heat our homes, how we travel, and what we eat and consume.

■ Stop wasting things. Stop buying things you know you’ll throw out. Focus on higher quality items you’ll keep, particularly clothes.

■ Think about changing your diet. A relatively modest shift can support the net zero goal. If we reduce our consumption of red meat and dairy by 20%, it will free up an enormous amount of land for tree planting, peatland restoration or things like bioenergy and bio-crops. A 20% cut in those things is not a big deal, especially if the 80% we consume is high-quality and produced here in Scotland. Reducing red meat intake also aligns with recommendations for improved health.

■ Think about travel choices. It’s not just about electric cars, but using transport powered by fossil fuels less. If we are more active in our travel choices, which we realise is harder for people in the Highlands and Islands, use our cars less, fly less, it will help immensely. It also sits well with improving health.

■ Make good choices about the energy we consume.

Be conscious about how you heat your home – having an energy efficient home is by far the best thing you can do overall.

■ Finally, don’t feel guilty - we aren’t going to fix this by telling people they are doing the wrong things. These are mostly positive choices that can improve your quality of life and help the environment.

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TOP TIPS FOR BUSINESS 1

OPERATIONS WITH A NET ZERO APPROACH

Take a step back and think strategically – this is a climate crisis, but it’s important to align operations and business models with a net zero approach. There are clear links between energy efficiency and reduced operating costs, e.g. saving electricity, heating more efficiently, using a smart meter, reducing travel and investing in fuel-efficient vehicles.

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CHECK YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Get a handle on your business emissions – you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

CHECK OUT: The carbon footprint calculator at carbontrust.com

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HELP IS AVAILABLE

Engage with HIE and other partners such as the Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust and Scottish Government, who can help with advice and funding.

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SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH TECHNOLOGY

Consider the technologies that will need to be adopted to support a new way of doing business, for example investing in better teleconferencing and Skype technology to reduce the need for travel – saving time and money for the business, and reducing your carbon footprint.

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THINK OF THE OPPORTUNITIES

With every challenge comes an opportunity. Now is the time to look at how your business can benefit and position itself to deliver new green products and services – think glass milk bottles and paper straws!

IF YOU HAVE AN INNOVATIVE IDEA VISIT: hie.co.uk/innovation

FÒCAS AIR ÈIGINN NA GNÀTH-THÌDE

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Tha èiginn na gnàth-thìde gu trice anns na naidheachdan. Tha riaghaltais na h-Alba is an RA air targaidean a chuir an cois airson a bhith net zero ro 2045 agus 2050 fa leth. Tha Chris Stark, àrd oifigear Comataidh na Gnàth-thìde ag ràdh gum feum an gluasad gu sgaoilidhean net zero a bhith air feadh na h-eaconamaidh agus e air tur comasach smaoineachadh air dòighean gus a choileanadh agus aig an aon àm, fàs a thoirt air an eaconamaidh.

LOW CARBON EXPERTISE MADE IN MORAY GOES GLOBAL AES SOLAR Founded 40 years ago, Forres-based AES Solar is the longest established solar company in Western Europe. It’s the only company in Scotland to design and manufacture its own solar thermal panels, as well as specialising in the installation of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The firm has continuously evolved to become Scotland’s solar experts, including the latest advances in battery storage, electric vehicle charging and off-grid systems.

AES Solar has secured recent investment from HIE to support the company’s ambitious expansion plans. These include extending the workshop space and purchasing additional plant and equipment to increase the firm’s manufacturing and design capacity. There will also be advice and support to help grow the company’s market share in the UK and internationally.

The project is expected to increase the company’s workforce from 14 to 19 full time equivalent posts, international sales by up to £157k and turnover by more than £1m.

Scott McKnockiter, account manager at HIE, says: “Demand for renewable energy solutions is expected to increase exponentially as we move towards a carbon neutral economy. AES has shown great initiative in its commitment to research and development of new products.

The company’s track record is strong, and it has grown into a valuable contributor to the local economy and a valued employer. We are delighted to be able to support their ambitious plans.”

George Goudsmit, AES managing director, says: “We are thrilled to have secured funding from HIE, timed perfectly as we celebrate 40 uninterrupted years in business.

This expansion and increased workforce will allow us to continuously meet the demand of the UK’s clean energy requirements.

“We are extremely proud of our history and connection to the Moray area. The ongoing support from HIE will allow us to continue fostering local talent through graduate schemes and modern apprentices while remaining a proactive and supportive figure within the local community and economy.”

BIOMATRIX WATER Biomatrix Water, based in the Enterprise Park Forres, design and develop environmentally sustainable solutions to reinvigorate waterways which have been polluted or are devoid of vegetation and natural habitat – bringing water to life. The company produces modules for floating islands and riverbanks to help cities around the world transform underused and polluted waterscapes into vibrant, biodiverse ecosystems. These can bring a variety of benefits including habitat creation, water quality management and wastewater treatment.

The company has been involved in an international contract to form the world’s largest floating river bank in France. It landed the contract after gaining support from HIE for its R&D, innovation and international marketing strategy. They have just employed two additional staff, including a graduate through HIE’s ScotGrad Graduate Placement Programme, and have seen a significant increase in turnover.

Angie Smith, HIE’s account manager for the firm says: “Biomatrix is a role model for innovation and exporting.

The company’s growth in turnover and workforce reflects their ambition and hard work over the last few years.”

Galen Fulford, Biomatrix managing director, says: “Last year, we installed our biggest project yet; the world’s largest floating riverbank in an inner-city canal in Rennes, France. We had the opportunity here to implement our newest product; a floating planter for shrubs and small trees, and to create a system that could withstand high water flows in a dynamic river environment.

“The help and support from HIE has been crucial in getting us to where we are today. Our entire staff became involved in workshops that helped us define our strategy, come up with new ideas to get our story out, to brand and market ourselves better and to improve our manufacturing process and team workflow. We have all benefited greatly from this support.”

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HIGHLAND BIO-TECH INNOVATION WINS BACKING FOR WAR ON MARINE PLASTIC The effect of plastic waste on our oceans is one of the greatest issues currently facing our planet.

The work of sea life-related businesses at the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) in Argyll has never been more vital, and some of its tenants are winning significant funding from investors.

The science park on Oban’s shores has grown around the knowledge and facilities created by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), a founding partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands, which developed its iconic building on the site in 2004.

Offering taught and research degrees in marine science, SAMS is fuelling a growing stream of spin-out businesses. Together they’re building a critical mass of applied knowledge in the vital field of ocean health.

Biotech business CuanTec Ltd is one of the Park’s rising stars. Its work in developing compostable packaging from shellfish waste has won backing from Sky Ocean Ventures – a collaborative fund led by Sky and the Scottish Investment Bank.

Head of microbiology at CuanTec, Dr Tracy White, explains: “We’re dedicated to developing solutions to the issue that single-use plastic is creating. I graduated from SAMS and I know, first-hand, the calibre of facilities and resources it offers to bio-tech businesses like ours. We’re confident we’re in the right place to make a significant contribution to this global challenge.”

As if to confirm that, Sky Ocean Ventures is investing in another EMSP business focused on finding a solution to plastic waste pollution. Based in Malin House, designed and built

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especially for the sector by HIE, Oceanium Ltd is investigating the potential of seaweed to provide a long-term response to the demand for marine-safe packaging as well as plant-based food sources. Their team, says its chief executive Dr Charlie Bavington, is focused on eliminating plastic waste, mitigating climate change and creating jobs.

The Park currently hosts 15 businesses all working in the marine sector, and cross-working is now well established on several projects focused on energy and conservation solutions.

These include specialist bio-tech businesses Xanthella and ALIenergy, which work together on community renewables and the local energy economy. Their pilot uses off-peak green energy to power cost-effective algal bioproduction that holds the potential for income and employment benefits in remote areas.

One measure of the sector’s potential is the number of people now studying at SAMS. Its graduates are well placed to be recruited by EMSP tenants, and this year a record number of undergraduates enrolled for SAMS’ Marine Science degree course. Numbers have risen by nearly 50% over the past five years and the 120 undergraduates now studying there join a growing number of Masters and PhD students.

SAMS’ director Prof Nicholas Owens says: “The health of our oceans is becoming a mainstream concern not just for scientists, but for everyone. SAMS provides a world-class environment for a burgeoning collective of academics who are focused on multiple disciplines around this global challenge.

L-R Dr Tracy White, CuanTec, Morag Goodfellow, HIE and Dr Charlie Bavington, Oceanium Ltd

Toby Thomas

FROM SAMS STRAIGHT INTO LAB WORK Toby Thomas, recent SAMS graduate and now microbiologist at CuanTec, tells us how studying there led directly to his new role.

“I chose to study at SAMS in large part because of the close proximity with the research centre there – most of the lecturers are active researchers.

“It’s the perfect axis around which tenants of the marine park are able to develop solutions. It’s exciting to see businesses like CuanTec and Oceanium win funding for projects aimed at replacing plastic packaging.

“We hope many more environmental breakthroughs will originate here at Oban.”

Latest developments at the Park include The Moorings – a flexible co-working suite created by HIE that gives start-up businesses the opportunity to join the EMSP community and use its facilities with low start-up costs and no need for longterm commitments.

HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, Morag Goodfellow explains: “The Moorings offers a modern work base and the chance to collaborate with other marine researchers and companies already at Malin House and at SAMS. Here businesses can get a desk on affordable, simple terms and with only one charge covering shared facilities and services.”

With plans well advanced for a second development phase at the Park including a facility for developing maritime skills, options will be available for companies to grow on-site, with space available for other inward investors focused on scientific solutions.

We’re dedicated to developing solutions to the issue that single-use plastic is creating.

DR TRACY WHITE HEAD OF MICROBIOLOGY AT CUANTEC

“I got a summer placement with CuanTec, and then went on to work with them on my dissertation – and this led to a permanent job after my final exams. I definitely consider myself lucky to so quickly find myself in this position. And it’s not unusual for SAMS students – lots of my fellow graduates have also gained employment as a direct result of the connections they made at SAMS. “I’m now an active part of the team here working to find compostable alternatives to single-use plastic.”

It’s exciting to see businesses like CuanTec and Oceanium win funding for projects. We hope many more environmental breakthroughs will originate here at Oban.

PROF NICHOLAS OWENS SAMS’ DIRECTOR

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MAKING A SPLASH ON THE WEST COAST A new wave of tourism is sweeping towards Scotland’s west coast with the launch of a collaborative initiative aimed at maximising the economic potential of marine tourism.

From breath-taking scenery and ancient archaeological sites, to wildlife spotting and enticing speciality food and drink, visitors can choose from a wide variety of offerings on Scotland’s west coast.

Supported by funding from HIE, the West Coast Waters project brings together representatives of over 2,500 tourism interests across the west of Scotland to help visitors navigate the range of experiences available. This unprecedented collaboration will make it easier than ever before for tourists to get on, get off, and even get into Scotland’s coastal waters.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Argyll and The Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC) and involves all 18 Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) with territory on the west coast, as well as businesses, local authorities and national bodies. These include VisitScotland, CalMac Ferries, ScotRail, UHI, CAPITEN, Wild Scotland, Sail Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Tying in with Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, the West Coast Waters initiative will involve six high profile projects aimed at helping domestic and international tourists explore the full range of visitor experiences along the length of Scotland’s west coast.

2. WEST COAST WATERS HOPSCOTCH TRAIL In a ground-breaking collaboration with ferry operator CalMac, the West Coast Waters project will see the development of the UK’s first island-hopping long-distance trail. This epic pan-west coast route will create five circular itineraries allowing travellers to explore the islands and the mainland coastline. Visitors will be able to book island-hopping routes tailored to their interests under just one ticket, including itineraries based on whisky tasting, wildlife and Gaelic culture.

3. WEST COAST WATERS BATON RELAY Sponsored by the Scottish Salmon Company, the Baton Relay is an ambitious communityfocused event aimed at celebrating all the west coast has to offer. With the design of the baton still under wraps, the relay will visit 20 communities across 20 weekends between May and September 2020. Each week it will be hosted by individuals, groups, clubs and businesses, with visitors actively encouraged to take part.

1. THE COAST THAT SHAPED THE WORLD Recognising the central role that Scotland’s west coast and islands have played throughout history, from Viking trading posts to departure points for mass emigrations, this ambitious digital project from the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Tourism and Recreation Research will immerse users in stories from 20 different west coast destinations.

This innovative campaign will reinvigorate the seaways that served as our ancestors’ highways and allow visitors to make a personal connection to the area’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

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FIND OUT MORE: westcoastwaters.co.uk @WCWScotland #WestCoastWaters #ImmerseYourSenses

rk e Pa y Cowell cienc e rine S r McBurn a M sca pean /O o s r r u te E a at the Coast W ntre t er Ce edit: Wes r lo p n Ex Photo cr Ocea n. to the h Torrido t x e c n o e L g n a o n nstaff Tours at Du n Sailing lling o e k id r r r o ith To e: Sn Abov Sailing w w: lo e B

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4. SCAVENGER HUNT Local businesses have the chance to be part of a west coast scavenger hunt that promises adventure for all, challenging participants to take in specific sights, places and experiences as they travel the yet-to-be revealed route around our coastal communities.

The delegates from Argyll and The Isles were struck by the level of collaboration between destinations in Sweden whose only connection was across a body of water. Instead of presenting their areas to tourists as separate and even competing destinations, different towns and tourism providers collaborated to present a complete picture of what their area had to offer.

Working together to make the most of the short 12-week tourist season, each area takes turns at staging festivals and events, and has developed a distinct local speciality to ensure visitors have reasons to return and explore the area further.

5. WEST COAST WATERS TRAILS OF DISCOVERY The West Coast Waters initiative will promote new and existing visitor trails themed around the unique products and experiences on Scotland’s west coast. These will include snorkel trails in the West Highlands, Harris and Lochaber; the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail; the Hebridean Whale Trail; local food and drink, cycling and walking trails; and a spectacular new Sunset Trail. These routes will encourage visitors to travel across destinations and ensure as many communities as possible can enjoy the economic benefits of sustainably increased tourism.

6. WEST COAST WATERS 2020 PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN Tying all of these initiatives together and providing a link to the Year of Coasts and Waters is an overarching West Coast Waters 2020 promotional campaign. This high-profile campaign is a joint undertaking supported by all 18 DMOs as well as businesses, local authorities and a grant from the VisitScotland Growth Fund, and will invite visitors to immerse their senses in the wealth and range of marine tourism opportunities on offer in 2020 and beyond.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS Collaborative tourism offers huge potential benefits to the economies of rural communities. Just recently, it was announced that the North Coast 500, established in 2015, generated £22.8m for the North Highlands economy in 2018, as well as supporting the creation of 180 new jobs.

The potential offered by marine tourism may be even higher, as recognised in Scotland’s ‘Awakening the Giant’ marine tourism strategy, partly due to the opportunity to use water bodies to connect previously isolated communities. The project team encountered this approach on a learning visit to Sweden in 2017 funded by SDI in partnership with HIE.

“The Swedish approach makes a lot of sense in terms of visitor experience, and we see the same happening here,” explains Carron Tobin, West Coast Waters Co-ordinator and Campaign Project Manager. “A family might take the ferry and hire bikes to explore the Isle of Cumbrae, and then treat themselves in an ice-cream parlour back in Largs before heading home.

“We can expand this simple approach and link our more remote communities together across water bodies through shared experiences, showing visitors some of our hidden gems, getting them to slow down and bringing jobs and enterprise to where they’re needed most.”

UNPRECEDENTED SCALE Keen to implement some of the lessons from the visit to Sweden, the AITC began working with HIE to investigate opportunities for similar collaborations in Scotland. Initial discussions with other west coast DMOs identified shared ambitions to make progress on marine tourism and to work together to achieve a unified strategy.

This led to a HIE funded scoping programme, which identified over 300 hub sites in participating areas where visitors could get on to or off of the water and enjoy tourist related activities, including distillery and castle tours, eat local seafood and explore the wildlife and landscapes.

With the announcement of 2020 as Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, the team began to focus on sites and experiences that could be considered ‘2020 ready’, to ensure the best possible platform for promoting the West Coast Waters initiative. The team was delighted to find the opportunity was even bigger than they’d hoped, with the campaign able to reach the full extent of the west coast.

FÒCAS AIR TURASACHD NA MARA Le taic airgid bho HIE, tha pròiseact West Coast Waters a’ toirt còmhla riochdairean bho roinn na turasachd air feadh taobh siar na h-Alba airson cuideachadh a thoirt do luchd-turais air na grunn rudan a tha ri fhaotainn san roinn. Cuidichidh an co-obrachadh seo le bhith a’ dèanamh nas fhasa na bha e a-riamh dha luchd-turais cothrom fhaighinn gu muir a’ chladaich.

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In January 2019, HIE and AITC hosted a summit in Oban where attendees were presented with the findings of the scoping and research programme and tasked with developing a strategy to capitalise on the tremendous potential of marine tourism.

OUTER HEBRIDES

After a series of facilitated workshops, the group agreed the six projects (above) that will be taken forward during the Year of Coasts and Waters.

STILL TIME TO GET ON BOARD “Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of Scottish tourism,” explains David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland regional director.

“I’m delighted VisitScotland are able to support this innovative campaign that will help bring success, wellbeing and prosperity to the west coast of Scotland.”

Thousands of businesses in the region stand to benefit from the West Coast Waters campaign, which will continue beyond 2020. A business toolkit, which will be expanded as the campaign develops, is available at www.westcoastwaters.co.uk.

According to Carron Tobin, the opportunities for west coast businesses and communities are limited only by their imagination. “An organisation might want to host or sponsor an event, companies might carry the baton as a team building exercise, or different businesses in the same area might link up to offer combined packages of their products or services.”

WESTER ROSS

SKYE & LOCHALSH

LOCHABER

ARGYLL & INNER HEBRIDES LOCH LOMOND, FIRTH OF CLYDE & CLYDE ISLANDS

ca un Pa d Ph dleb oto o cre ardin g dit : W at W ild e Ab st B a ou t A y, D rgy un ll/K oon ier an JD

“With HIE’s support on innovation and internationalisation, we can help them capitalise on this even further, exploring new ways to reach customers and build profitable long-term relationships.”

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HIE is on hand to help businesses think creatively about how to take advantage of these new opportunities. Steven Dott, senior development manager for tourism at HIE, explains: “Visitors are increasingly seeking more engaging and authentic experiences and will plan their travel experiences around this. The crosswater collaboration on show in the West Coast Waters project is a great example of destinations working towards a common objective of offering truly immersive tourism experiences and helping visitors explore the whole west coast.

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THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER THE UNWAVERING APPEAL OF LOCH NESS The enduring mystery, dramatic history and natural beauty of Loch Ness attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

In 2018, both Urquhart Caste and Loch Ness by Jacobite featured in the top 10 most visited paid tourist attractions in Scotland, welcoming 518,000 and 311,000 visitors respectively. And with seasonality becoming less pronounced, more businesses are now able to remain open year-round.

But the Loch Ness economy is not just all about tourism. The food and drink and the technology sectors are also prospering, and together with the tourism industry, they are demonstrating how innovation will safeguard the economy of communities in and around Loch Ness for the future.

Diving into this story, we spoke to seven businesses with connections to Loch Ness to learn more about what they’re doing to innovate, diversify, modernise and make the most of the world famous Loch Ness brand, both at home and internationally.

Together, we need to offer tourists a world-class experience.

FREDA NEWTON, LOCH NESS BY JACOBITE

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CRUISE LOCH NESS – FORT AUGUSTUS Family-run Cruise Loch Ness started out with an old RNLI lifeboat in 1968. Today, the business has two cruisers and three high-speed RIB boats – and is currently working with HIE to purchase a new custom catamaran, set to take to the water in 2021.

Managing Director Ronald Mackenzie says: “We run our trips all year round. More and more tourists are now coming to Loch Ness during the low-season, which helps to keep local people in work 12 months a year.”

PROTERRA ENERGY – DRUMNADROCHIT Founded in 2012 by brothers Terry and Neil Stebbings, Proterra Energy designs, installs and services off-grid and hydro-power systems. “Drumnadrochit is a great location for our business,” explains Terry. “It’s central to the majority of our customers across the Highlands, and close to our suppliers in Inverness.”

With funding from HIE’s small innovation grant scheme, the business has been able to take its smart energy products overseas, including the HydroTrailer – a portable, cost-effective hydropower system that provides renewable energy and clean water to off-grid communities in developing countries.

LOCH NESS CLANSMAN HOTEL Part of the Cobbs Group, the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel has been a longstanding feature on the northern shores of Loch Ness – and it’s currently making some exciting changes.

The newly refurbished restaurant will now open all year round and, as director Willie Cameron explains, the retail side of the business is also being developed: “We have re-fitted and re-styled our gift shop, which will now offer a more high-end – and highly local – experience. Inverness fashion outlet Maggie and Suzi will have a concession here, and we’ll also be selling products from Naked Highlander, Kincraig Fabrics and Essence of Harris.”

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The Loch Ness brand does really well overseas.

SAM FAIRCLIFF, CAIRNGORM BREWERY

LOCH NESS BY JACOBITE – DOCHGARROCH Loch Ness by Jacobite has run boat tours from Inverness to Urquhart Castle for more than 40 years. In 2019 it doubled its winter tours offering, and opened An Talla, a new café and retail space in the renovated Dochgarroch Village Hall. Its business has grown 20% from 2018.

Managing Director Freda Newton says: “Growth is important, however we are only part of the picture. Once visitors finish a cruise, they need somewhere to stay, and something to eat.

Together, we need to offer tourists a world-class experience.”

LOCH NESS SHORES - FOYERS Loch Ness Shores is a five-star eco camping and caravan park in Foyers, with a newly opened bistro serving exclusively Scottish produce. An onsite borehole, solar panels and heat exchange system service the campsite’s facilities.

Lyn Forbes, joint owner with her husband, says: “With the campsite and bistro now up and running, we’re working with HIE on our next business plan, which includes building an on-site marina, and the potential launch of a waterbus service from the campsite to help reduce traffic on the roads.”

LOCH NESS/CAIRNGORM BREWERY – AVIEMORE Cairngorm Brewery took over the Loch Ness Brewery brand in 2016, keeping the iconic name under Highland ownership. Managing Director Sam Faircliff explains: “The Loch Ness brand does really well overseas and the modern aesthetic of the bottles has enabled us to access new markets in the UK.” The brewery’s new flagship bar and restaurant in Inverness is set to open at the end of 2019, and will see both the Loch Ness and Cairngorm brands share centre stage.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME HAS REAL IMPACT FOR JEWELLER Hannah Burr is a jeweller and designer based in Beauly near Inverness.

Her business Letters To Jinny creates precious metal lockets to mark major life events, such as births, deaths and marriages.

After graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2009, Hannah based herself in Edinburgh, working as a jeweller and running her own shop. However, a move back to the Highlands to raise a family prompted the need to kick her business into shape and focus on her true passion – family history, legacy, and creating future heirlooms.

“I had a revelatory moment when one of our mentors helped me realise that I wasn’t working in the jewellery market, but the legacy, memory and bereavement market. I’d always felt like I didn’t quite belong in the jewellery world – so hearing someone vocalise my gut feeling was an important moment, and made me excited for what the future might hold.”

In 2018, Hannah contacted HIE looking for business advice to get Letters to Jinny off the ground. She was considered an ideal candidate for IMPACT30, a business development programme, and enrolled in spring 2019.

Hannah’s long-term objectives are now to position Letters to Jinny explicitly within the bereavement market, and to hire at least one member of staff within the next three years. “I’m in regular contact with my IMPACT30 business-enabler, Emilie Kelly, and she helps keep me on the right track. We both know what I need to achieve, and there is a clear plan that will help me get there. The phone calls have also helped break down the isolation of working on my own,” she says.

“Initially, I thought that I simply needed to expand my skills base and move into the gold market. What IMPACT30 made me realise, however, was that these were by-products of growing my business. What I really needed was a clear business plan, a reassessment of my customer base, and a strong brand,” Hannah explains.

Hannah found the programme’s introductory workshops crucial in setting her business development journey on the right path.

“We were encouraged to question the fundamentals of our business, and to challenge assumptions,” she says.

“Taking part in IMPACT30 is the best thing I have ever done for my business. It has massively shaped the way I work. When I sit down at my desk in the morning, I have focus – I know exactly what I need to achieve.”

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IMPACT30 nurtures the fantastic entrepreneurial talent we already have in the region.

CLAIRE MUNRO, HIE

L-R: Claire Munro, HIE and

Mark Bell, AAB

ABOUT THE NORTHERN INNOVATION HUB IMPACT30 is one of eight business development programmes delivered by the Northern Innovation Hub, whose mission is to help SMEs grow through innovation, with a focus on life sciences, food and drink, tourism, and the creative industries. The programme also has the cross-cutting themes of technology and young people.

The Northern Innovation Hub received £11m from the UK Government and £1.7m from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The deal is a joint £315m initiative supported by both the UK and Scottish governments.

IMPACT30, a dynamic programme led by HIE through the Northern Innovation Hub, is helping young entrepreneurs develop their own unique business plan to increase competitiveness and boost productivity. Participants, who must be under 35 and based in the Highlands, are supported over 12 months with leading industry advice and training, as and when they need it. From technology development to creative marketing, the programme’s flexible and responsive approach ensures the support is provided at convenient times for the individual.

Anderson Anderson & Brown Consulting (AAB) delivers the programme, and uses its vast business network to connect participants with top industry experts from across Scotland.

Mark Bell, a director at AAB, explains: “We work with people who are at an early stage in their business. We recognise that businesses need different things at different times. We don’t come on board with a rigid 12-month plan; we develop and adapt as we go. It is also an opportunity for participants to connect with like-minded people, where they can learn from, inspire and support one another.”

Claire Munro, senior project manager for the Northern Innovation Hub at HIE explains: “IMPACT30 represents a really important aspect of the work we are doing through this initiative.

It nurtures the fantastic entrepreneurial talent we already have in the region, enabling local businesses in any sector to expand and strengthen – creating more jobs, and inspiring others to take their first entrepreneurial footsteps.”

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FOCUS ALSO SPOKE TO TWO OTHER RECENT PARTICIPANTS

OF THE PROGRAMME TO FIND OUT HOW IMPACT30 HELPED THEM CREATING A STRATEGY FOR IMPACT FOR 4C ENGINEERING

BRINGING IDEAS TO LIFE FOR PLANIT SCOTLAND

Jo Wilson is co-founder and director of 4c Engineering, founded in 2014. The company specialises in mechanical engineering, marine energy technology and industrial design and is based at NEXUS on Inverness Campus.

Cecilia Grigor established PA business Planit Scotland five years ago, after leaving her job as a sales manager at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness – where she had established a large network of local business people who were soon knocking at her door looking for help.

Jo joined IMPACT30 earlier this year, at a critical point in the development of the company. He explains: “It came at the culmination of a large project that had been making up a significant proportion of our work, so it was good timing for us to reflect upon our working practices, and to consider new ways of securing business.

“My primary aim is to come away from the programme with a clear-cut strategy and vision. Collectively, our team is skilled in working in a range of engineering sectors. The challenge is deciding on which sectors to pursue. IMPACT30 is helping us to make strategic decisions on this, and to forge a clear future direction for the business.”

Jo has appreciated the contribution of the IMPACT30 guest speaker, Don Smith, an invention and disruption consultant, who is currently developing a new model of pulmonary inhaler.

“There’s an alignment between Don and me, as we both have a background in product design, and his own experience in the life sciences sector has provided some excellent food for thought. I’ve enjoyed hearing from all the mentors from across many sectors and, of course, there’s also value in simply being part of the cohort. We have learned a lot from one another – being able to discuss the challenges of running a business has been really useful.”

Planit Scotland is based in Inverness and employs a team of six. It provides clients with event management, marketing or general PA support. One of its best-known events is the Loch Ness Knit Fest, now in its fourth year. Cecilia explains why she was drawn to IMPACT30: “I always have lots of ideas, but it’s easy to get a bit lost as a result. I liked that IMPACT30 would make me accountable for bringing some of those ideas to life.”

The programme has encouraged Cecilia to develop her leadership style, working closely with mentor Emilie Kelly, and also supported her to implement an overhaul of Planit’s accounting system. Cecilia was part of IMPACT30’s first cohort, and finished the programme in autumn 2019. Looking back, she says: “You do need to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable, because that’s how you grow as a person, and as a business leader – IMPACT30 can really help you achieve that.”

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT:

nih.hie.co.uk

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IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROGRAMME SOLVES STAFFING DILEMMA FOR MAJOR CAITHNESS EMPLOYER When Ashley Ann was unable to find the skilled staff it needed, the company found a smart solution – create a bespoke in-house training programme.

Founded by chairman Stephen Bremner and his wife Ellen in 1986, this family-run business now makes over 80 kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms per week from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wick. But with each piece individually machined, sprayed and hand assembled, a lot of skilled people are needed to make this happen.

As can be seen in many areas across Scotland, it can often be a challenge to recruit people with these particular skills, and Stephen needed to find a solution. With support from HIE, the company decided to design a tailored in-house training programme, with the two-pronged effect of providing Ashley Ann with the staff it needs and finding good-quality employment for young or unskilled workers in the region.

ENABLING EXPANSION AND PROTECTING JOBS With Stephen’s sons Gavin and Scott now both managing directors, this family-run business has gone from strength to strength over the years. “We started out in Thurso 20 miles away, and around 12 years ago we outgrew our premises there and moved to Wick. We considered at that time moving somewhere perhaps closer to the Central Belt, but we were really keen to keep the business in the area, partly as we feel it’s important for the region to protect jobs here,” explains Scott.

In an area with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, protecting jobs in the county is a major concern.

Ashley Ann is one of the largest private employers in the region, now employing around 200 people, with the majority in its manufacturing facility and headquarters in Wick. The rest are employed within its eight showrooms around Scotland, including Inverness, Stirling, Glasgow and Perth.

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Ashley Ann moved into its current premises in Wick in 2007, and is now once more looking at expansion in the near future, as Scott explains: “Around a year ago, we took over the old Caithness Glass factory building, and we plan to move some parts of the company into the new premises. It’s the same size as the current factory – around 40,000sq ft – so it will help facilitate our steady growth plan over the coming years.

“2020 is going to be a big year for us, as we’re also considering making investments into an automated spraying booth line.

However, for our expansion plans to flourish, we need to find the right people with the right skills. So that’s why we decided to design our own in-house training programme.”

DRIVEN BY INVESTING IN PEOPLE The company meticulously planned the training course and in October 2018 took on six young trainees in various roles, including CAD design, spraying, joinery and CNC machine operations. The pilot programme was supported by HIE, and proved to be a huge success, with all six trainees gaining permanent roles in the business.

“We make it our business to invest in people and it’s especially important to us that we invest in young people in the region,” says Scott. “We were delighted with how the first course went, and we hope to continue it into the future with a new batch of apprentices early next year. In fact, we’ve always invested heavily in training our people – not just through our new training programme.

“As a family business, we really look after our staff. For example, we have a subsidised canteen, and we pay the Living Wage rather than the Minimum Wage. And we see this paying off – we find it swings both ways. If we invest in our people, they invest in us.”

L-R Trainees Ross MacKinnon – Production Director Ryan MacDonald – Drawer Assembly Greg Mackay – Spray Shop Korbyn Cameron – Spray Shop Owen Rudhall – Product Development Nadine Barrett – Spray Shop Kieran Webster – Drilling in CNC Machinery Management Stephen Bremner – Founder and Chairman Scott Bremner – Managing Director Gavin Bremner – Managing Director

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Keeping a strong and sustainable workforce is so important for our area, and with Ashley Ann being the biggest private sector employer in Caithness, investing in their people is key.

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Ashley Ann is a great example of a fantastic family-owned business that really puts effort into developing and retaining staff.

They are a pleasure to deal with, we meet regularly and are currently working with them on their ambitious expansion plans – 2020 is going to be an exciting year for them!

HILARY BUDGE Account manager, HIE

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BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE AT PORTS AND HARBOURS Coastal infrastructure provides vital connections between communities and a range of opportunities from tourism to offshore operations and leisure to food and drink.

With many thousands of miles of coast across the Highlands and Islands, it’s obvious ports and harbours form crucial links between communities across the region and with the rest of the UK and the wider world. Residents, businesses and visitors alike benefit from the access and connections offered by these indispensable elements of the region’s built infrastructure.

Ongoing development of projects around the coasts, including optimisation of existing facilities, is seen as essential to help multiple sectors grow and thrive: from physical connectivity to island and rural resilience, tourism to offshore operations, leisure to food and drink.

The region has benefited from substantial investment over the last decade from owners and operators, trusts and local authorities with, in some instances, support from the Scottish Government and HIE.

Spending has totalled £271m since 2010, with HIE providing £58.7m as part of a dedicated and strategic approach to ongoing development of these assets, from ground works and quayside upgrades to full deep-water port facilities.

Market needs across the region are, however, constantly evolving and there can be no complacency as the Highlands and Islands prepare to meet the challenges and grab the opportunities presented by larger vessels, niche cruise itineraries and changing decommissioning horizons.

Audrey MacIver, director of energy and low carbon at HIE, says the organisation is committed to working with owners and operators and alongside stakeholders including the Scottish Government, Crown Estate Scotland, Marine Scotland and Transport Scotland. “The priority is both to realise increasing benefits from recent investments and to facilitate future strategic development.”

Key players going forward will include the new Scottish National Investment Bank as well as the National Infrastructure Commission, alongside a promised boost to ports and harbours infrastructure from Crown Estate Scotland.

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SCRABSTER UPGRADE TARGETS TOURISM AND RENEWABLES Scrabster Harbour in Caithness is counting on the ongoing redevelopment of its existing St Ola pier, which will create additional deep-water infrastructure, to meet anticipated demand from cruise ships and offshore energy supply vessels.

In addition to tourism and renewables, the second-phase upgrade will also place the port in an ideal position to support oil and gas activity in the West of Shetland basin.

Construction will include a new piled quay wall and pier deck to expand the existing facilities in addition to dredging to increase water depths. Reclamation at the root of the pier, complete with seawall, will provide storage areas for cargo handling.

Project spending of £17m, including HIE support of £3m, will also help to clear the way for access by cruise ships of up to 250 metres and supply vessels of up to 170 metres; overall investment will boost port revenues by 18% and support an additional 28 jobs.

These works build on the £17.6m first-phase of a development master plan led by Scrabster Harbour Trust, which saw the redevelopment of the old fish market pier as a modern, multipurpose facility.

European funding enabled upgrading of the fish market, providing businesses such as JPL Shellfish and Scrabster Seafood a base to trade internationally. Despite a major fire earlier this year, the latter is committed to rebuilding its business as part of long-term confidence in the port.

The development of Jubilee Quay was completed in 2013 and as Eann Sinclair, HIE’s area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, explains: “The latest improvements will help to bring more business to our region and support local industries. It will also help attract and retain high quality engineering and labour skills in the area.”

Procurement to select a contractor for the latest phase of work is underway and construction is due to start in early 2020.

Funding was also provided by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as part of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.

Eann Sinclair

Scrabster is the most northerly fisheries port on mainland Scotland, ideally positioned to service seagoing fleets with overland routes to UK destinations. Over the last 10 years the tonnage and value of landings have more than doubled, placing Scrabster in third place after Peterhead and Shetland.

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SHIPSHAPE IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES Further west, on the Isle of Harris, the installation of two new pontoons at Tarbert and Scalpay have delivered a 120% boost to visitor numbers.

Commercial and leisure vessels benefited from a £1.4m upgrade, supported by £235k of HIE funding, which provides the last vital link in a chain of marine hubs on the east coast of the Outer Hebrides.

Up to 90 vessels can be accommodated at the expanded Harris Development Ltd facilities. And while important revenue comes from yachts, cruisers and cruise ships, the pontoons also offer opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop a range of tourism-related businesses such as sea-angling and wildlife tours.

Rachel Mackenzie, HIE’s area manager for the Outer Hebrides, points out that the growth of marine tourism in the region has been quite dramatic with the waters around the islands a premium destination not just for UK visitors but for those from around Europe.

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The expanded marina is designed to provide facilities for local and visiting sailors and will tackle a shortage of yacht berths and amenities which is constraining potential growth. HIE is providing support to the project as part of Scotland’s Awakening the Giant strategy to boost the value of the marine tourism sector to £450m in 2020, up from £360m in 2015.

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Meanwhile, to the north, work to transform Stornoway Harbour is ongoing as part of a 10year master plan that includes an upgraded 70-berth marina for leisure craft. Included in the project is an engineering workshop and infrastructure to support future development including business, industrial and leisure.

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“Tarbert and Scalpay have many attractions such as shops, restaurants, a distillery and a Harris Tweed shop. Those places are all experiencing increased trade with many vessels choosing to stay for several nights.”

The Harris project was also supported by the Scottish Government administered Coastal Communities Fund, European Rural Development Fund, LEADER and the Scottish Rural Development Fund.

Port of Cromarty Firth

AHEAD OF THE CURVE ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE The significant Investment in ports and harbours has established a launch pad for expansion of the offshore energy supply chain.

The potential for future expansion of the energy sector across the Highlands and Islands has been boosted by the strategic development that has taken place across the region’s world-class ports and harbours infrastructure.

Expanded, upgraded and new facilities in the region have been a key enabler for increased development of renewable energy, as well as ongoing expansion of the West of Shetland basin and the growing demands of decommissioning.

Investments to date – from the Moray Firth to Shetland and Lewis to Kishorn – are already delivering many benefits with the forward focus firmly on strategic expansion that offers transformational impacts not only to our region but to the wider Scottish and UK economies.

A great example is our early support to Lerwick Port Authority, paving the way for the more ambitious and potentially transformational ultra deep water facility at Dales Voe. Another is Nigg Energy Park, enabling build-out of the Beatrice Offshore Wind Ltd (BOWL) project and proving the capability of the facility for large-scale offshore wind construction.

Investments in Wick Harbour over the last decade have ensured it was also able to respond to the opportunities from the £2.6bn BOWL project that has, so far, led to 90 long-term and well-paid operations and maintenance jobs at the port.

This strategic approach requires collaboration with industry and our partners including strong links with local authorities.

We welcome Orkney Islands Council’s Ports Masterplan, which supports ambitions for the renewable energy, oil and gas,

marine tourism and aquaculture sectors – key economic drivers and sources of employment for the current and future prosperity of the islands.

In Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute Council have been instrumental in upgrading harbour infrastructure to enable movement of large components, such as wind towers produced at Machrihanish. It offers a key advantage for that facility, and scope to develop to manufacture and manoeuvre larger offshore structures.

We are aware that the supply chain in the Highlands and Islands operates in an intensely challenging and competitive environment, which is increasingly international in reach, but we believe the steps taken to date have put communities and businesses across our region at the front of the queue.

Upgraded and expanded assets have been an essential driver for inward investment, as evidenced by the established and still growing supply chain clusters around the Port of Cromarty Firth and the European Marine Energy Centre on Orkney.

Future opportunities will multiply with the accelerating transition to a low-carbon economy and our ports and harbours infrastructure is well-placed to compete, whether that is fixed and floating offshore wind leasing or the emerging marine energy industry.

We are proud to have helped position the Highlands and Islands as a leading player across the wider North Sea and beyond.

Whether it is for steel or concrete, technology or service, floating or fixed wind, operations or maintenance, HIE will continue to ensure the region is ready to optimise opportunities and to meet the needs of the developers at a competitive cost.

Together with owners, operators and other stakeholders, we will build on the region’s track record of achievement and expertise, so that the Highlands and Islands can garnish its reputation as the location of choice for the delivery of these projects.

AUDREY MACIVER Director of energy and low carbon, HIE

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OIL AND GAS EMBRACES WIND, WAVE AND TIDAL

The drive to decarbonise the wider energy sector offers new opportunities for both established and upcoming renewables technologies.

Innovative and proven concepts in renewables, including wind and marine energy, will play a central role in decarbonising existing and future production activities in the North Sea. Operational oil and gas assets, those approaching the end of their lifecycles, and the massive new fields being developed west of Shetland must all adapt to the changing demands of the low-carbon economy.

Offshore and floating wind as well as wave and tidal applications can provide cost-effective options for electrification of platforms, remote subsea infrastructure and wider operations including decommissioning.

The industry is already using wave energy devices to power remote oil well monitoring equipment and in the near future wave and tidal energy will be used to power subsea control systems. This offers a new finance model and early route to market for wave and tidal applications. Floating wind, meanwhile, will soon be used by Equinor to power platforms across the Tampen field off Norway in what could be an industry template for expansion across northern European waters.

As Gavin MacKay, head of energy industries at HIE explains, low-carbon alternatives to status quo solutions will be a central plank in long-term industry ambitions to address emissions in the sector as Scotland, the UK and the world moves toward net zero.

“Integration and transition are the key words for a north of Scotland renewable energy sector with a central role to play in the next chapter of the oil and gas industry, and HIE is ready to play its part.

“Business cases in oil and gas are often based on bespoke project-specific requirements. For emerging technologies to sidestep direct competition with more mature renewables – such as onshore wind – and crucially create a differentiated route to market based on new commercial drivers, this can be a major advantage.”

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OFFSHORE WIND CAN BE THE CATALYST The potential of offshore wind is significant, particularly in the wake of the opening of the 588MW Beatrice wind farm in the Moray Firth, which showed what commitment, belief and motivation can accomplish.

Floating applications for offshore wind can multiply that potential many times over, by extending the reach of next-generation industries into the ports and communities of the west coast as it is already doing in the east.

“What oil and gas and offshore did for the Inner Moray Firth region, floating wind can do for the islands and the northwest,” says Gavin. “And it is not just about offshore electricity generation and the need to decarbonise the oil and gas industry during exploration, operations and decommissioning.

There is also much more that can be achieved by applying the technology in other contexts, for example the growing hydrogen economy.”

WAVE AND TIDAL ON THE RIGHT PATH

Beyond wind, the ongoing and groundbreaking success of the European Marine Energy Centre on Orkney, established 15 years ago, also shows how far the wave and tidal sector in the Highlands and Islands has come and how much it still has to offer.

Successful tidal energy deployments by companies such as Nova, Orbital and MeyGen as well as the work of Wave Energy Scotland, which is expected to progress towards deployment of scaled prototypes off Orkney in 2020, are visible signs of the potential in this area.

“This is an industry that is ready to take the next step,” says Gavin. “The technology will be proven and deployed at scale and provide huge opportunities to the supply chain and the wider economy and communities of the north of Scotland.”

Beatrice off-shore wind farm

ISLANDS OF ENERGY OPPORTUNITY Renewable technologies offer sustainable energy solutions for off-grid communities and local businesses across the Highlands and Islands.

SUPPLY CHAIN EMBRACING LOW-CARBON From oil and gas to offshore renewables, companies across the Highlands and Islands are primed to meet the challenges of next-generation energy projects.

Supply chain players in the Highlands and Islands are ready to tackle the ‘big asks’ of the low-carbon imperative across the energy sector. And as Gavin explains, local companies in manufacturing, engineering and services – to name but a few – are more than ready to leverage their existing capabilities.

“We have seen a number of major companies in our region willing to put their extensive business know-how and operational experience in deep-water and other challenging environments to work in pursuit of next-generation opportunities.

“Whether it is offshore or floating wind, wave and tidal power or oil and gas, businesses across the north of Scotland have shown a proven ability to deliver efficiently and effectively while also displaying a ready willingness to tackle fresh challenges.

“As an example, more than 200 companies signed up within six months for the DeepWind supply chain cluster, an initiative launched as part of the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal struck between the industry and government in March 2019.”

Within this initiative, the various participants – led by champion EDP Renewables – are examining the requirements and potential of wind developments both fixed and floating in waters deeper than 40 metres. Opportunities for the supply chain, innovative solutions and export potential are all in play in a cluster that includes leading companies SSE, Equinor, Vattenfall and Kincardine Offshore.

Isolated island communities pose unique energy challenges that demand the development of decentralised systems.

These include the option of innovative deployment of wave and tidal energy as well as floating and offshore wind.

Cutting-edge technologies can offer resilience to off-grid communities, meeting a mix of residential requirements and the need to power energy-intensive industries.

Deployment can also help to meet net zero carbon targets while mitigating against grid constraints and offering smart, flexible and resilient solutions.

As well as the wider low-carbon benefits, renewable energy deployment creates inclusive growth and fair work opportunities in island and rural communities, two of the key drivers identified by HIE. Indeed, according to HIE, island communities throughout the region can not only provide an ideal test bed for new technologies (and combinations of technologies) in renewables, they can also provide a home for future commercial deployment, including associated supply chain growth.

This is an industry that is ready to take the next step.

GAVIN MACKAY

Gavin says: “Results from the cluster effort will almost certainly feed into the realisation of Crown Estate Scotland’s leasing process ScotWind, which will kick off imminently and is expected to lead to a 9GW expansion of the sector towards the end of the decade. With the UK Government seeking a commitment to 60% local content in future developments, the size of the prize – and the appetite among those across the north of Scotland supply chain – is clear.”

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SUSTAINABLE WATERS SHETLAND SHOWS OFF ITS SEAFOOD Shetland-based QA Fish is a seafood processor and wholesaler, supplying sustainably sourced whitefish, pelagics and shellfish to customers across the UK and Europe.

Conveniently located beside Scalloway fish market, the company’s proximity to Shetland’s rich fishing grounds is an obvious strength, and enables QA Fish to deliver on its namesake – quality assured produce.

Founded in 2008, QA Fish is now Shetland’s only dedicated whitefish processing company, and employs 22 people. The company is proud of its highly skilled team of processers, who fillet the fish and shuck the king scallops by hand.

A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY-CHAIN QA Fish sources all its seafood locally from registered fish markets, or directly from small independent fishermen with whom it enjoys longstanding and trusted partnerships. This is key to the success of the business, as director and co-founder, Robert Williamson, explains: “Traceability and sustainability matter. They matter to us, to our customers, and to the industry at large. So we work closely with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to ensure that our products – coley, haddock, hake, plaice, whiting and brown crab to name a few – are accredited by the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. This allows customers to know definitively that the fish and shellfish they’re selling, cooking and eating is from a sustainable source.”

QA Fish customers range from small fishmongers to larger national distributors, as well as a wide range of both local and national restaurants. With such a diverse customer base, Robert acknowledges that delivering sustainable produce is not always easy.

“High standards of accreditation are now a prerequisite to market access, following major commitments from the supermarkets. We’re on board with that, but we also need to make sure that we can financially survive. Essentially, customers want a high-quality sustainable product, but they are not always willing to pay for it. Naturally, that’s a challenge.”

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AQUACULTURE AND AGRICULTURE UNITE IN WASTE REDUCTION PROJECT QA Fish has an ambition to put 100% of its processing waste to alternative uses. A challenge of being based in Shetland, however, is the availability of suitable waste management and waste disposal options.

As Robert Nicolson, the company’s sales director, explains: “We have to work with what we’ve got, however that’s pushed us to come up with innovative solutions, and our scallop shell project is a great example of this.

“With funding from the Scottish Government and European Maritime Fisheries Fund, we plan to convert scallop shells into a liming agent for local crofters and farmers, who are currently importing around 3,000 tonnes of magnesium lime each year to help stabilise the islands’ peaty soil. Our scallop shell powder will create a local solution to a local problem, whilst simultaneously reducing our waste.”

Robert anticipates that the initiative, which is backed by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, will set a precedent for the industry.

GOING GLOBAL WITH SUPPORT TO EXPORT Some 35% of the company’s produce is destined for the European and Asian export markets, and this is an area where QA Fish is now working with HIE to develop the business further.

HIE awarded the company a Go Global Grant in 2017 to attend a trade show in China, and its sister company, QA Shellfish, now exports live lobster and brown crab to China, which is a rapidly growing market.

“We are also currently looking into SDI’s International Manager for Hire Scheme, which could help us further develop our Asian export market,” explains Robert. “Working with HIE and SDI, we’ve also added the Netherlands and Ireland to our European export portfolio – while continuing to export to countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.”

L-R: Robert Nicolson and Robert Williamson, company directors

FUTURE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES In August 2019, the QA Fish team moved into expanded and refurbished premises, which will support the company’s growth ambitions – and parallels the major redevelopment of both Scalloway and Lerwick fish markets. As Robert explains, the expansion is all part of being prepared for the future in uncertain times.

“We anticipate that the expanded fish markets will encourage more boats to land here, which presents us with new opportunities. We currently process about 10% of the white fish landed in Shetland – but with our new factory, we now have the capacity to double that.

Traceability and sustainability matter to us, to our customers and to the industry at large.

ROBERT WILLIAMSON

“While the uncertainties that Brexit presents make it difficult to anticipate what the impact will be, all we can do is be nimble and proactive. Because from the uncertainty there will undoubtedly come opportunities, not least the potential to have more control over our own fishing quotas. You only need to look to Iceland to see what benefits that might bring.

“But if you want to get a feel for the Highlands and Islands’ fishing industry right now, just take a walk down Blackness Pier in Scalloway. There you will come across net makers, boat engineers and refrigeration experts, as well as seafood processors and wholesalers such as ourselves. This is a sector that is thriving and provides vital employment to many people in a variety of professions. It is a good news story.”

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THE TINY HEBRIDEAN ISLAND WITH BIG CONNECTIONS Grimsay is an island roughly three miles long, and half again in width, in the Outer Hebrides. Joined to North Uist and Benbecula by a causeway, a singletrack road links most of the island’s croft and fishing settlements together.

The tiny island made national digital news headlines this summer. It is packing a brand new social and economic punch as the Highlands and Island’s first fully ultrafast capable island community.

BETTER CONNECTED The 113 households on Grimsay can order services which can deliver 1Gbps download – this is around 18.5 times faster than the UK’s current average of 54 Mbps. The roll-out of fibre to Grimsay was part of the publicly funded Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project (DSSB), managed in the region

by HIE. Before the fibre programme, Grimsay and the wider Benbecula, South and North Uist area, had little or no access to mainstream broadband and were connected over radio network or satellite.

Connectivity is having a transformational impact in our region, opening opportunities in business, education and health, and levelling the playing field for people who live in more rural locations.

CONNECTIVITY IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES Building a fibre network for the first time in the Outer Hebrides was a huge challenge. It included five subsea fibre optic cables linking the islands to each other and the mainland. The longest subsea link was almost 50 miles and was landed in Braighe near Stornoway in 2014. The first superfast broadband home went live in June 2015.

Today, coverage stretches across 29 telephone exchange areas from Barra to Lewis, bringing superfast to around 80% of homes and businesses.

Being able to work online and at a distance is hugely important – it means you can live where you want to live, but still do a city style job.

HAZEL SMITH

FÒCAS AIR BANN-LEATHAINN FIOR-LUATH SNA H-EILEANAN AN IAR Tha dà choimhearsnachd sna h-Eileanan an Iar a-nis air ceangal as fheàrr fhaighinn leis gu bheil lìonraidhean bann-leathainn làn-fiber ùr aca. A-nis tha e comasach dhan a h-uile 113 dachaigh air Griomasaigh, Uibhist a Tuath, bann-leathainn earbsach, ultrafast. Chaidh a thogail le luchd-innleadairean bho Openreach tron phròiseict Bann-leathainn Digital Scotland Superfast, air a stiùireadh anns an sgìre le HIE.

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BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY Robin Spratt, who runs artisan business Hebridean Candles on the island agrees. “Rural life can be tough, and people have been talking about depopulation of the islands for years.

The businesses on Grimsay have welcomed the arrival of fibre direct to their doors. It’s lifechanging in both social and economic terms – and they believe the benefits will help make their future more sustainable.

Uist Wool, a spinning mill and wool centre, is a traditional industry selling to an international audience. Manager Hazel Smith says: “Being able to work online and at a distance is hugely important – it means you can live where you want to live, but still do a city style job.”

Local people see good broadband as an intrinsic part of keeping and attracting a young workforce. “The age demographic of the island is changing and I think that’s because the internet is improving. It will make a huge difference to our business, and to the wider islands,” says Hazel.

Hazel Smith, Uist Wool

“Get proper connections and a decent mobile signal and a lot of problems will start to resolve themselves. It opens up new possibilities for businesses to establish here and people can come back.”

Before the arrival of full fibre, Robin and his wife Michelle, had a satellite broadband system with very limited data. Now they’re able to use their fast connection to process electronic payments as well as enjoy all the household uses many take for granted – like keeping in touch with their grown-up family and watching catch-up TV services.

Robin Spratt, Hebridean Candles

DIGITAL HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS IN NUMBERS

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SUB SEA FIBRE CABLES

4,500 BUSINESSES RECEIVED DIGITAL SUPPORT

1000+ FIBRE CABINETS LIVE

4G

INCREASED 4G COVERAGE ACROSS THE REGION

80% ACCESS TO SUPERFAST SPEEDS TODAY

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Focus magazine issue 5.indd 31

10/12/2019 12:02

Connectivity really has the ability to transform our area.

David and Jean Newman

LIFESTYLE Grimsay residents David and Jean Newman have experienced first-hand the range of benefits of better connectivity.

David, a retired architect, worked for a number of years with Sustainable Uist. He’s also brought his expertise to the community-led Sealladh Hiort project to create a St Kilda viewpoint centre in North Uist. He says the role of technology, and easier access to a global market, is one which is important to island communities.

The couple are delighted that their son has recently moved to the islands and set up a financial services business.

“Connectivity really has the ability to transform our area. We live in a modern economy, and young people are more flexible.

They are less likely to be tied to one job, in a single location.

We have to focus on offering good places to live and a stable environment to keep and attract young workers.”

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Modern technology will play its part in telling the St Kilda story at the Balmartin centre. A webcam, and digital interpretation will sit side by side with original exhibits from what is today a world heritage site. St Kilda communications were certainly more rudimentary – one of the exhibits is the island post bottle.

A sealed canister and wooden box, it was floated on a sheep’s bladder to ferry messages.

Artist Jean started her studies at the North Uist campus of Lews Castle College UHI, she completed her fine arts degree online through Moray College UHI and is now continuing her study – through Shetland UHI – with a Masters by Research (MRes) in Creative Practice. “I’ve had the best of all worlds – local study, the benefit of living in a very vibrant creative community, and having access online to tutors and mentors from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Elgin and Dublin. My course is 80% practical and 20% written, online delivery is no barrier to practical learning.”

EDUCATION The University of the Highlands and Islands is trailblazing delivery of highly practical subjects online. Its Benbecula campus is home to a remarkable online community of talented musicians.

Building on excellent on-island Further and Higher Education courses at Lionacleit, the BA (hons) in Applied Music was introduced in 2012, drawing students together online from across the UK. Now with the introduction of a masters qualification, the team is building on already established international links by welcoming students from across the world.

The courses cater for a wide range of musical specialisms and cultures. The students share an interest in the skills needed to succeed in today’s music and creative sound production industries, and also in community, heritage and tradition, learning practical skills and performance.

Programme Leader Anna Wendy Stevenson, herself an internationally renowned fiddler and composer, says: “We use video conferencing, students work with tutors and each other, and in addition there is one-to-one practical tutoring. We get together for residentials, where we work together for concerts, ensemble, performance and composition.”

Chloe Steele is in her final year of the degree. The daughter of two generations of Uist crofters, she says her confidence and skills have soared as a result of her relationship with the University. She shares her love of traditional music by teaching the next generation of musicians through Feis, she’s travelled to Asturias in Spain to encourage fellow musicians there to sing in Gaelic, and she is part of a project using music as therapy for dementia.

She’s researched traditional songs from Uist to perform and record, and she’s composed music which explores environmental themes and erosion.

“Online learning works for me. It’s like a community, I’m connected to the other students through the video conferencing links, and the residencies allow for creative learning and performance. I’ve had so many opportunities from right here in my own community.”

I’ve had so many opportunities from right here in my own community.

CHLOE STEELE

L-R: Anna Wendy Stevenson and Chloe Steel

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GRADUATES FOR THE FUTURE Meet Gabbi and Greg, who have recently joined HIE’s graduate placement programme as trainee account managers. Here they tell us a bit about their new roles and why they are so happy to return to the region.

We are both business degree graduates that have grown up in the Highlands and have returned here after completing our studies in search of work. We have a shared love and passion for the Highlands, the business community and the culture that are part of what makes the region so unique.

After a very fast first few months in the role, we have experienced day-to-day life as account managers and the challenges they face, but also the benefits they can offer to businesses, social enterprises and communities to help them grow.

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We have been shadowing account managers in their activities such as visiting clients, discussing their challenges and the potential assistance we could provide, writing up project reports and approval papers. Over the remainder of our placement, we hope to visit other area teams throughout the Highlands and Islands and get involved with the sector teams, such as creative industries and tourism, to help us expand our view of HIE and what it contributes to the region.

GRADUATE TRAINEE ACCOUNT MANAGER

GREG PATERSON

GREW UP: Inverness / Largs EDUCATION: ■ Inverness Royal Academy ■ University of Stirling: BA Hons Business Studies PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: ■ Skills Development Scotland: growth and inward investment intern ■ Church On The Hill Bar and Restaurant: bar and restaurant staff ■ Highland Field Sports Fair: event and preparation team

My return to the Highlands and Islands was not a hard choice.

Having grown up in the region and after five years living outside the Highlands, I was sorely missing the way of life and the culture, which makes this area so unique. The opportunity of a high-quality job at HIE was an important factor as it made the move viable and allowed me to progress my career, not stall it. The Highlands and Islands culture and landscape are what I love most about the region, not an entirely unique perspective I realise. But having grown up on the doorstep of world-renowned locations like Loch Ness and the Cairngorms and with heavy involvement in the traditional music scene, it was difficult to adapt to the ‘big city’ life. In my free time now, I am back into the traditional music scene playing every week, visiting all the Highland sights I’ve not been to in a number of years and discovering new ones further afield now I have the chance and ability to do so.

I was attracted to my current role as I am passionate for the region and want to see it grow and flourish. So far, I have enjoyed meeting clients and discussing their unique challenges and working to find an avenue through which HIE can help support them. The range of clients and their activity in the Inner Moray Firth area alone was very surprising when I started.

From companies like the Drumnadrochit-based Proterra, who have developed a hydro generator trailer that has the potential to transform rural communities in poorer countries; to Carbon Dynamic who are another innovative company producing modular buildings that have the capability to transform the housing and construction industry altogether.

I have also been amazed at the broad range of products and services we offer, covering a multitude of support programmes, such as entrepreneurship masterclasses, ScotGrad placements and funding schemes of various forms like the Scottish Land Fund. Also, the region’s numerous Community Planning Partnerships and Community Development Trusts demonstrate the collective passion of Highland communities and their drive for change and growth. The extent of these networks is encouraging – to see so many people in our region making an effort to improve their communities.

I would, and have always encouraged young people to come to, or remain in, the Highlands and Islands, as the region offers an unparalleled quality of life and work-life balance in the context of the UK. With high-quality jobs on the rise, the region is becoming an even more attractive place not only to live but to work and progress your career whilst immersing yourself in the rich culture and beautiful landscape that is amplified in the region.

Over the next few months I hope to be able to see and experience first-hand other area teams like Shetland and Innse Gall. Not only would this give me a great excuse to see more of the region, but also the chance to expand my knowledge of the different local challenges in other areas which could assist in the development of my role overall as an account manager.

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GABBI HEATON-ARMSTRONG

GRADUATE TRAINEE ACCOUNT MANAGER GREW UP: Inverness-shire EDUCATION: ■ Charleston Academy ■ Scotland’s Rural College: HNC Activity Tourism Management ■ University of Chester: Business and Geography Hons Degree PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: ■ North Coast 500: Marketing and Business Development ■ The Storehouse of Foulis Ferry Restaurant: Waitress ■ Harry Gows Bakery: Sales Assistant

To me, it’s the most beautiful place on Earth!

Studying down in Chester for three years I always used to jump at the chance to come home and even kept a camping box, tent and sleeping bag in the car ready for a spontaneous trip back. I have to say, it was always a pleasant surprise when my car (Pedro the Punto) made it back each time! On each visit I would fit in as much as I physically could – road tripping around the Highlands, exploring the countryside and going to music concerts and local festivals.

I kept my consumption of local food and drink high all throughout university, so much so that I used to get Stornoway Black Pudding and Cockburn’s Haggis sent to me by post. I also always made sure that I had a stash of Cromarty Brewery’s ‘Happy Chappy’ in my cupboard. So, after graduation when I was given the opportunity to work for the North Coast 500 (NC500), I jumped at the chance to move back home. This was a great opportunity – promoting everything I loved about the Highlands while helping businesses showcase themselves to the world.

At the NC500 I worked in marketing and business development – marketing the spectacular route to the world. It was a fantastic job, but I wanted to be able to help businesses on a wider scale which is how I came to apply for the role at HIE.

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Before I started, I had no idea about the breadth of activity within the organisation. For the last four months I have been getting to grips with the account management process and learning as much as I can about the different products and services we offer. I have enjoyed getting out and about, visiting the different types of social enterprises and community groups, and working out how HIE can help. From the 5 star Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George to The Shieling Project, an off-grid learning centre based in Glen Strathfarrar, that invites and encourages everyone to experience outdoor living. I’m very much looking forward to what the next two years will bring!

I truly believe that the Highlands are unique. I love exploring our remote and rural countryside, having easy accessibility to the hills, the increase in local artisans and the Scottish music scene. Since moving back home I have been able to truly appreciate my surroundings by exploring new places and trying out new activities – I have even recently taken up fishing.

Spending my weekdays in Inverness and my weekends visiting my boyfriend in Caithness, has also meant that I have a very close relationship with the A9 heading north – I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of taking in the view around me.

THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT HIE AND THE REGION SO FAR...

The Highlands and Islands region is

10 TIMES LARGER THAN LUXEMBOURG

20% larger than Wales and almost the size of Belgium

REDUCTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING

HOME TO THE FAMOUS LOCH NESS

the region from 34% in 2015 to 22% in 2018

which contains nearly twice the volume of water of all the lakes in England and Wales combined

Inner Moray Firth is the

MOST DENSELY POPULATED area in the region

VALUE OF GAELIC TO THE REGION is estimated at between £85m and £150m a year

TYPES OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE FROM HIE • •

•

Account management Training and development courses (Masterclasses, Pathfinder etc) Funded assistance (e.g. PA consultancy, ScotGrad, Scottish Land Fund)

The Highlands and Islands region accounts for over

BLUE Wider HIE region

50% OF THE LAND MASS OF SCOTLAND

YELLOW Inner Moray Firth area only

and has 99% of the community owned land in Scotland

The IMF team account manages

160 BUSINESSES

social enterprises and organisations out of OVER 600 across the Highlands and Islands region

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WHY I LOVE RUNNING MY BUSINESS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS…

DAVID NICOL Managing director, NB Communication

David Nicol is co-founder and managing director of digital marketing agency NB Communication. Established in 2002 as a web architecture consultancy, today the business offers a full suite of services, specialising in web design and development, e-commerce, and destination marketing. The company is based in Lerwick, Shetland, but also works from offices in Edinburgh and London to service its growing UK-wide client-base.

Why is NB Communication based in Shetland?

I’m from Shetland, and when I finished my degree at Edinburgh University, I wanted to come back. On my return, I undertook a marketing placement with my local enterprise company, which was part of HIE. I’d studied law and economics, but I knew I didn’t want to be a lawyer – and the placement opened my eyes to the emerging opportunities in marketing, and specifically web design. Following the placement, I got together with an old school friend, and we set up the business.

What do you like best about running your business in Shetland?

The best thing about running my business in Shetland is that I also get to live here! It’s a perfect place for my wife and I to raise our three sons, as there’s always so much to do. Culturally buzzing, a diverse and thriving economy, and stunning natural environment – I can’t imagine being anywhere else. But, of course, we are still working with clients from all across the UK. It’s a great feeling sitting in the Lerwick office, delivering work to a customer in London, knowing that we’re bringing money back into Shetland.

What challenges does your location present, and how have you overcome them?

When we started out, I assumed that potential clients from elsewhere in the country might think less of us due to our location being – from their perspective – in the back of beyond. But our location has in fact been crucial in forming the company’s identity. While we’ve grown the business by delivering excellent customer service and building a strong portfolio of work, our location has also helped set us apart from the thousands of other digital marketing firms across the UK. It’s a great icebreaker.

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How has HIE supported your business to thrive in Shetland?

HIE has been with us from the beginning, providing advice, guidance and training opportunities. The nature of our business means we’ve never needed significant capital investment, and HIE has been great in helping us to grow at our own pace. Some of our team are currently on the Emerging Leaders programme. I myself have taken part in the Leadership for Growth initiative, as well as the fantastic Entrepreneurial Development Programme delivered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.

What’s unique about Shetland as a business location?

Shetland is unique in its dual offering of a wild, unspoilt landscape, coupled with a dynamic economy. Around three quarters of our team are Shetlanders – they are skilled, talented people who want to make Shetland their permanent home, and contribute something positive to the community.

Talk us through your ideal work day…

I have a six-minute commute to the office, and I often see gannets, seals, otters and even killer whales on the way. I’ll check-in with the team, before heading out to meet a local client, perhaps taking a ferry to one of Shetland’s many beautiful outer isles. When I get back to Lerwick, I’ll call the Edinburgh office to catch up with their progress on projects for ‘south’ clients. When work is finished and if it’s the summer, then I might spend the evening playing golf or exploring Shetland with my family. In the winter, I’m more likely to be making use of the excellent local indoor sports facilities we have here on the island.

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