Rural Firms Encouraged To Take Part In New Business Survey

12th October 2021

Businesses in rural areas across Scotland are being encouraged to take part in a new Rural Business Panel survey, which gets underway this week.

More than 2,700 firms are to be contacted for their views on topics such as economic confidence, business performance and optimism, as well as current concerns such as financing, increased costs, supply chain issues and labour challenges.

The survey will also explore business priorities and actions they are taking to move towards low carbon ways of working.

The findings of the survey will be used by Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) to inform future policy and support economic recovery and growth across rural Scotland.

The survey is an extension of the Highlands and Islands Business Panel survey, which has been carried out 19 times over the past seven years by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

It was already extended earlier this year to include the area covered by the South of Scotland Enterprise agency (SOSE). Now it has been extended further to include the rest of rural Scotland.

Independent research specialist firm Ipsos MORI has been commissioned jointly by the Scottish Government, HIE and SOSE to undertake the work and will be contacting rural businesses over the coming weeks.

Announcing the new survey Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

"As Scotland recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, it is vital that we understand the aspirations of rural businesses and the challenges that they are facing.

"I am delighted to announce that the Scottish Government will be supporting a new major Rural Business Panel Survey this autumn, in collaboration with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise. This work will support our vision to build a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rural economy."

Carroll Buxton, interim chief executive at HIE, said:

“Since we launched the Highlands and Islands Business Panel in 2014, it has proved extremely valuable. The feedback from businesses shows what areas of operation they are finding most challenging and where they see the best opportunities. It also looks at their attitudes to investment and confidence in the economy and their firm's own viability.

“As development agencies we can use this information to make sure our resources and support programmes are targeted effectively. We are always extremely grateful for the time and effort people put into their responses and would encourage anyone who is contacted by the researchers to take part if they can."

Professor Russel Griggs, chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:

“We had our first Rural Business Panel results earlier this year, which saw 600 South of Scotland businesses and social enterprises take part in the survey, with over 200 agreeing to join the Panel.

“This was a fantastic response and gives us an excellent baseline to measure the current mood of the business community in our region.

“I am delighted we are again working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government on this new survey, which will help us and our partners understand the issues on the ground.”

More on the HIE Business Panel, including previous survey findings, is available on the Business Panel page of the HIE website.

See https://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/business-surveys

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

8/10/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Innovation and AI: New opportunities for businesses across the Highlands and Islands

Innovation has always been a defining characteristic of businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands.   Whether developing new products, finding ways to overcome the challenges of distance and geography, improving services, or identifying new markets, organisations across the region have a long track record of adapting and evolving.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.  

29/9/2026 : Local Authority

Are We Trying to Save Britain’s Towns Without Planning Their Future?

Walk through almost any British town centre and you can see the evidence of change.   There are empty shops where there were once businesses.  

26/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities Scotland and Ireland are developing closer links between their Gaelic-speaking communities, with housing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, tourism and the marine economy among the areas being explored for future cooperation.   The initiative was highlighted during a visit to Skye by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, who met representatives of Highland organisations including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highland Council.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

AI Support For Businesses In Highland

Businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands are being supported to explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence (AI) through two new support initiatives launched today by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of AI Scotland.   Applications are now open for the new AI Adoption Programme and AI Mentoring Support service, which are designed to help organisations understand, assess and implement AI technologies that can improve productivity, boost innovation and support growth.  

21/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

£1.78m innovation programme to benefit 500 businesses

A new three-year programme (14 September) is expected to help more than 500 businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands to innovate and grow.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £1.78m budget to fund the programme, which builds on ten years of innovation support by the agency.  

11/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
HIE appoints new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed Claire Wilson as its new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland.   Claire succeeds Eann Sinclair, who retired after eight years as area manager and more than three decades with HIE.  

8/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Public sector investment supports floating offshore wind foundations development for Highlands

Plans to produce floating offshore wind foundations at Port of Ardersier have taken a step forward with the approval of more than £778,000 in Scottish Government funding.   Approval was given by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) after close collaboration with Scottish Enterprise’s international arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), to secure the project for Scotland.  

1/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland Is Attracting the Investment But Where Is Caithness and Sutherland's Share?

There is an encouraging message in the latest investment figures for Scotland.  There is also a question that should matter particularly to Caithness and Sutherland.