Advisory / Counseling Services News

Tough Decisions Required At Cairngorm Mountain

The public body responsible for Cairngorm Mountain acted appropriately when selecting a private company to manage the resort, but tough decisions on its future are now required.   Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML), which operated the mountain's winter sports and leisure activities, went into administration in 2018 following the closure of the funicular railway due to structural problems.  

Caithness Voluntary Group Awarded £200,000 From The Aspiring Communities Fund Of The European Community

Eleven community organisations in the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £1.5m to develop and deliver long-term solutions to tackle poverty based on local priorities and needs The Aspiring Communities Fund, which levers in European Social Funds, was launched by the Scottish Government in 2017 to help reduce poverty and enable inclusive growth in disadvantaged and fragile communities across Scotland.   Regional development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), helped community organisations in the region to apply to this recent round of funding.  

Caithness Business Fund COVID-19 support scheme now open - first round closes 12 June

The Caithness Business Fund is pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution of £100,000 from Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), it will be running a series of application rounds designed to support local businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.   This support will be provided in the form of grants ranging from £500 up to a maximum of £5,000, and will be made available initially to eligible businesses in Caithness and North Sutherland which require assistance towards costs incurred in reopening business premises as a result of COVID-19.  

IoT online demonstration for Highlands and Islands businesses

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands looking to boost their productivity and competitiveness through Internet of Things (IoT) technology, are being offered the chance to hear from industry experts.   Internet of Things technology enables devices, such as everyday objects, machinery and systems to connect to the internet.  

Tune into Tourism: Road to Recovery NEW WEEKLY PODCAST STARTS FRIDAY 15 MAY

The Tune into Tourism team recognise that the last few months will undoubtedly have been the most difficult experienced to date as a tourism business owner.   We are concerned not only for the welfare of each and every business, but also their owners and operators.  

Highlands And Islands Enterprise - Latest Covid19 Guidance

We would like to reassure you that HIE is doing all it can to gather information and work with Scottish Government to ensure that the appropriate support is reaching our communities and local economy.   We hope to soon have more detail about how to access the recently announced Scottish Government grants to help communities affected by Covid19 https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19 You will have seen new headlines emerging daily at a national and UK level with proposed measures to help individuals, businesses and communities.  

Datafest20 Launched In Inverness

Scotland's two week festival of data was launched on 9th March 2020 by Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for finance Kate Forbes in An Lòchran, Inverness.   Now in its fourth year, DataFest will once again showcase Scotland's leading role in data science and artificial intelligence.  

HI-Scot credit union is on a mission - to get the Highlands and Islands saving in 2020

"As we enter our fourteenth year of business, we'll be spreading the word about the benefits of saving with the credit union," said HI-Scot's General Manager, David Mackay.  "HI-Scot is member led and member run and we offer a range of services." HI-Scot is well established in the Western Isles, where the credit union is based.  

Contract Awarded For £250k Adventure Tourism Programme

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has contracted marketing and business development company, Business and Tourism Solutions (BTS), who will work with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce to deliver the programme.   It will provide intensive engagement, support and interventions for around 50 businesses and providers in the sector across the Highland Council area.  

More Pain For Highland As HIE Budget Gets Second Year Of Cuts

According to the draft Scottish Govenment budget, Highlands and Islands Enterprise will get £58.2 million in the upcoming financial year - down from £61.1 million last year.   2018/19 the budget was £71.7 million.