Advisory / Counseling Services News
28/4/2023
New Business Units To Be Developed In Wick- £2.7million Contract To Local Firm John Gunn & Sons 
Work is underway to create to create four new business units at Wick Business Park, following interest from local firms. Caithness company, John Gunn & Sons was appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, following a public tendering process.
28/4/2023
Levels Of Fuel Poverty Higher In Rural Scotland - Caithness and Sutherland Highlighted In The Report
Research published by Changeworks sets out the impact of far higher levels of fuel poverty on the physical and mental health of people living in rural areas of Scotland. ‘A Perfect Storm: Fuel Poverty in Rural Scotland' was commissioned by the Rural & Islands Housing Associations Forum (RIHAF), the Highlands & Islands Housing Associations Affordable Warmth group (HIHAAW) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
28/4/2023
HIE Launches A New NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Are you an established business with a new product or service that you want to bring to market? This programme will take you through every every stage needed to give your new product or service the best possible start. Over 12 weeks, you'll learn how to improve the likelihood of success and come away with a business-wide action plan.28/4/2023
Green Jobs Capital Fund To Assist Employers
The Green Jobs Capital Fund supports organisations to create and retain green jobs. These are jobs focusing on the production of goods or services that benefit the environment, or that help drive more environmentally friendly processes.[Taxis]
27/4/2023Can You Give Some Time To Drive With Caithness Rural Transport
Caithness Rural Transport members are growing daily and the service has expanded dramatically these past few months. The service relies on volunteers to cover any additional runs throughout the week that the main drivers/volunteers who have set days are unable to cover due to already having runs booked in.
23/4/2023
Study Reveals Potential Benefits Of Proposed New Walking Route On Shetland
The report on the potential Shetland Way also predicted that over a 10-year period the route could be used by 600,000 visitors and create 52 additional tourism-related jobs. Running over 100 miles from Hermaness in the north down to Sumburgh Head in the south, the Shetland Way links the archipelago's natural, cultural and community assets with the aim of bringing social, economic and environmental benefits to the islands.
19/4/2023
New Natural Heritage Facility Opens Near Loch Ness
The world's first rewilding centre has been opened in the Highlands that will help more people experience forest restoration, the natural environment and Gaelic culture. The Rewilding Centre is located at Dundreggan Estate, Invermoriston by conservation, education and research charity, Trees for Life.
9/4/2023
NDA - Local Social and Economic Impact Practitioners' Guidance for grant funding
The NDA has published a guide for practitioners dealing with funding. It may be useful for businesses and groups thinking about applying for NDA funding to understand the principles involved and the aims being pursued for socio-economic targets.5/4/2023
Knowledge Assets Explained
A short film explains what knowledge assets are, why they're so powerful, and how we can help you make the most of them. The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) is on a mission to help colleagues in the Civil Service, arm's length bodies and public sector research establishments create value for the UK taxpayer by unlocking the full potential of knowledge assets.
5/4/2023
Community Groups Benefit From Slf Awards
The SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The site of a former hydroponicum in Achiltibuie, where vegetables were once grown without use of soil, will now provide land for affordable housing and an amenity space following a grant of £304,700 to Coigach Community Development Company from the SLF.4/4/2023
AMTE, Thurso Agree An Unsecured Loan From Highlands And Islands Enterprise
AMTE Power PLC - Developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist applications has agreed an unsecured £580,000 loan from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The loan is repayable after three years and incurs interest, after an initial twelve-month interest free period, at 6.5% per annum.3/4/2023
Dounreay Has Successfully Joined With Magnox Limited
Dounreay has successfully joined with Magnox Limited, effective as of April 1st 2023. This joining is part of the NDA group's wider programme of change.
29/3/2023
NDA Group Gender Pay Gap Report: 2021 To 2022
Data on the difference in employees' average earnings from April 2021 to March 2022 for the NDA group. Gender Pay Gap legislation introduced in April 2017 requires all employers of 250 or more employees to publish their gender pay gap data annually.19/3/2023
Young Entrepreneurs Join Business Support Programme
IMPACT30 is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered by business skills training consultancy, Skillfluence. The fully funded business growth programme for people aged 35 and under who are in key decision-making roles, offers bespoke support from industry specialists.
17/3/2023
First Tenant For New Life Sciences Innovation Centre
Medical device consultancy, iDE8, has leased two laboratories and an office in the facility from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The company was formed in 2017 and currently employs seven people.11/3/2023
Credit Union Lending Reaches Record Levels As UK Borrowing Costs Rise
The figures were revealed as the government plans new rules for the sector, allowing it to deliver more products including car finance. Figures from the Bank of England show that credit unions are lending record sums to UK customers, as the cost of borrowing continues to rise.
8/3/2023
Support For Highland Businesses From Highland Council Loan Company
Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited HO(I)L, The Highland Council's business loan company has launched its first social media campaign to make Highland businesses and community organisations aware of its loan funds. HO(I)L has financially supported more than 1,200 local start-up businesses, community organisations and growth projects within the Highland Business community since it was established in 1986.
28/2/2023
Marine Sectors Offer Transformational Opportunities For Highlands And Islands
The Blue Economy in the Highlands and Islands report was commissioned by HIE and carried out by ekosgen. It explored the wide range of marine related industries and activities, from aquaculture to marine tourism, and points to the ‘natural advantages' of the Highlands and Islands.
23/2/2023
Ulva Ferry Waterfront Project Awarded Almost £250k
Ulva Ferry is situated on the far western coast of the Isle of Mull, with a 40-minute drive on single track roads to the nearest town of Tobermory. The £852,475 project is being taken forward by the Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), which has led several projects at Ulva Ferry for more than a decade.
19/2/2023
