Advisory / Counseling Services News

North Mill Project An Example Of How To Attract Funding Into Region

A £4.9m project in Caithness to restore one of the last water-powered grain mills in Scotland has been hailed as a great example of how funding can be used to leverage more investment into the region.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) approved a £250,000 contribution to the project led by the John O'Groats Mill Trust to restore the disused John O'Groats Mill, which it acquired in 2020 along with two adjacent holiday cottages and 9.5 acres of land.  

Manufacturing Innovation Centre For Moray Receives £5.6m Approval

Plans to establish a new facility in Moray that is expected to support up to 300 manufacturing jobs in the next ten years have secured up to £5.6m capital investment.   The Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved its funding contribution for the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), a Moray Growth Deal project that includes more than £4m of UK and Scottish Government funding.  

Adult Membership Of Credit Unions Is Increasing And Members Taking Out More Loans

The latest information from the Bank of England shows that adult membership of credit unions across the UK is increasing.   The total number of adult members has been steadily increasing.  

Cairngorm Funicular Remedial Works Progressing

A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April.   With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.  

Dounreay Workers Vote To Strike Over Pay

Workers at the Dounreay nuclear power complex in Caithness have voted to strike in a dispute over pay.   The GMB union said its ballot had an 85% turnout.  

New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions

Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development.   Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.  

Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For Tapestries

The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.   This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.  

Property Demand Study Launched By Highlands and Islands Enterprisie

As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024.   Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.  

Support Programme Takes Young Entrepreneurs To The Next Level

Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders.   The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.  

Power Boost For Off-grid Island

A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE.   The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.