Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
25th November 2025
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched
THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
The winning entry should symbolise HIE's contribution to regional development, entrepreneurship and economic transformation. It should reflect the unique identity of the region's people, place, heritage and culture.
The new tartan must be unique and will be registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans. HIE will retain the intellectual property rights to the new tartan and will use it in branding promotional material and merchandise.
Stuart Black, HIE chief executive, said, "We're delighted to be working with UHI on this initiative to mark 60 years of regional development. It's a great way to celebrate all that's been achieved in the region since our predecessor the Highlands and Islands Development Board was established, while promoting some of our region's cultural significance."
Vicki Nairn, UHI principal and vice-chancellor, added:
"Creativity and innovation are at the heart of UHI, and this challenge is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase both. The UHI partnership spans regions rich in heritage and culture, and I look forward to seeing how students express that identity through their designs."
The challenge is open to all full and part-time students across the UHI partnership, who can enter individually or in teams of up to three. The deadline for submissions is Saturday 31 January 2026 with the winner to be announced in February 2026.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
10/12/2025
How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 Years
For 60 years, the Highlands and Islands have been the focus of one of the UK's most distinctive long-term regional development efforts. Since the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1965—and its evolution into Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1991.
9/12/2025
Planning consent granted for Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been granted planning permission in principle to progress the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. The consent is subject to a Section 75 agreement being finalised between HIE and The Highland Council.9/12/2025
Island Business Resilience Fund expansion
Businesses affected by ferry disruption in Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Mull, Iona, Ulva, Barra, Vatersay, Islay and Jura can now access financial support. The £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expanding to support more businesses experiencing economic impacts linked to travel issues.8/12/2025
What the NC500 Research Projects Are Designed to Do - and Why They Matter for the Highlands
As the North Coast 500 approaches its tenth anniversary, it has become one of Scotland's most well-known tourism success stories. The 516-mile loop around the far north of the Highlands has been celebrated internationally, marketed as a world-class road trip, and credited with transforming visitor numbers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas.4/12/2025
Have your say in Thurso's future £100million investment by attending public consultation events
Thurso is to benefit from £100m investment in education and community facilities and are rolling out the first phase of public consultations on 9 and 10 December 2025. The Highland Council is inviting people that live, work, or study in Thurso, to come along to the public consultation events to have their say; this is an opportunity to help shape the future of Thurso, to gather views and ideas.28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow. There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses. In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland. The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.
Our Social Media
