HIE Chairman Visiting Caithness and Moray Via Uist and Benbecula

22nd January 2026

Angus Campbell, Chair of HIE, visited the Outer Hebrides last week to see the ambition in Uist and Benbecula as he begins a wider tour to meet staff, businesses and community groups.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be travelling across the Highlands and Islands to meet HIE staff, businesses and community groups. It's a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the people driving growth and innovation in our region.

(Sa Ghàidhlig gu h-ìosal/available in Gaelic below)

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Uist and Benbecula, meeting organisations that are making a real impact across the islands. During the trip, I had the opportunity to meet Comhaire nan Eilean Siar's (CnES) leader, Paul Steel.

I was accompanied on my visits by Joanna Peteranna, HIE's director of area operations and I was inspired by the energy and ambition shown during the two days of visits.

That sense of momentum was clear from my very first stop at Spaceport 1, Scolpaig in North Uist, a project led by CnES. I joined their project delivery manager, Alison MacCorquodale to see the completed enabling works. This development will play an important role in advancing both the Scottish and UK space industries while creating high-quality jobs, supporting young people to stay in the islands and attracting new talent to make the Outer Hebrides their home.

We then visited Macmillan Spirits, an ambitious local business that's making a mark in the premium drinks sector. We were shown around by founder, Angus MacMillan, and I was impressed by the company's plans for growth and their commitment to sustainability. Keeping their carbon footprint low is at the heart of what they do.

They've designed their whole spirit-making process to run on renewable energy, which is a pretty bold move. It means they'll massively cut their emissions and stay ahead of the curve as the spirits industry shifts away from fossil fuels.

At Eabhal Business Park in Benbecula, I got a real sense of how the right infrastructure can create new opportunities in a rural community. There's a real buzz around the place just now with seven brand‑new units going up thanks to strong demand from small local businesses looking for modern space to grow. The teamwork behind the whole development is impressive and it feels like the start of something with big potential for future investment.

I also stopped by at Cnoc Soilleir, a vibrant cultural and educational hub dedicated to celebrating and strengthening Gaelic language, music and culture. It’s a lively, inspiring space that supports learning, music, research and community activity across South Uist.

It was great to see the momentum behind Cnoc Soilleir. This island‑driven project is creating space for new ideas to thrive and has real potential to boost both community life and the local economy. A brilliant example of what can be achieved when ambition starts from within the Islands.

Once the second phase is completed, it will support the continued use of the Gaelic language through events, courses and other activities as well as create jobs and encourage young people to stay in the islands. It will also drive growth in the local economy by adding to the tourism and cultural offering in the Outer Hebrides.

During my time back in Stornoway, I also had the opportunity to visit staff in our Stornoway office, which was a great chance to hear first-hand about the work they’re doing to support these efforts locally.

This week I will be visiting organisations in Caithness and Moray, which I’m really looking forward to and if it’s anything like my time in Uist and Benbecula, I know I’ll come away energised by the creativity and ambition driving our region forward.

A’ tadhal air Uibhist agus Beinn na Faoghla mar Chathraiche HIE

har nam beagan sheachdainean a tha romhainn, bidh mi a’ siubhal tarsainn na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean gus coinneachadh ri luchd-obrach HIE, gnothachasan agus buidhnean coimhearsnachd. Is e cothrom fìor mhath a th’ ann air cluinntinn dìreach bho na daoine a tha a’ stiùireadh fàs agus ùr-ghnàthachas nar roinn.

An t-seachdain a chaidh, bha mi toilichte tadhal air Uibhist agus Beinn na Faoghla, a’ coinneachadh ri buidhnean a tha a’ toirt buaidh mhòr air feadh nan eilean. Rè mo thurais, bha cothrom agam coinneachadh ri Pòl Steele, stiùiriche Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES).

Nam chuideachd air mo thadhalan bha Joanna Peteranna, an stiùiriche obraichean sgìreil aig HIE. Bha mi air mo bhrosnachadh leis an spionnadh agus leis an àrd-amas a bha follaiseach san dà latha a bha mi air mo thuras.

Bha am faireachdainn sin de ghluasad glè shoilleir bhon chiad tadhal agam aig Spaceport 1 ann an Sgolpaig ann an Uibhist a Tuath, pròiseact air a stiùireadh le CnES. Bha mi ann an cuideachd Alison NicThorcadail, am manaidsear lìbhrigidh pròiseict aca, gus am pròiseact comasachaidh crìochnaichte fhaicinn. Bidh àite cudromach aig an leasachadh seo ann an adhartachadh ghnìomhachsan fànais na h-Alba agus na RA, agus aig an aon àm a’ cruthachadh obraichean àrd-chàileachd, a bhios a’ cur taic ri daoine òga gu fuireach anns na h-eileanan agus tàlant ùr a tharraing gus an dachaigh a dhèanamh ann an Innse Gall.

Thadhail sinn an uair sin air Macmillan Spirits, gnothachas àrd-amasail ionadail a tha a’ comharrachadh àite fhèin ann an roinn na dibhe. Chaidh ar stiùireadh timcheall leis an neach-stèidheachaidh, Aonghas Mac a’ Mhaoilein, agus bha mi air mo bheò-ghlacadh le planaichean na companaidh airson fàs agus an dealas a thaobh seasmhachd. Tha a bhith a’ cumail na luirg càrboin ìosal aig cridhe na tha iad a’ dèanamh.

Tha iad air a’ phròiseas air fad a tha an luib dèanamh spiorad, a dhealbhadh gus ruith air cumhachd ath-nuadhachail, gluasad a tha gu math dàna. Tha e a’ ciallachadh gun geàrr iad sìos sgaoilidhean gu mòr agus gum fuirich iad air thoiseach san rèis mar a bhios gnìomhachas na dibhe a’ gluasad air falbh bho chonnaidhean fosail.

Aig Pàirc Gnothachais Eubhal ann am Beinn na Faoghla, fhuair mi fìor fhaireachdainn de mar as urrainn don bhun-structar ceart cothroman ùra a chruthachadh ann an coimhearsnachd dhùthchail. Tha mòran a’ dol air adhart san àite an-dràsta, le seachd aonadan ùra gan togail an dèidh iarrtas làidir bho ghnothachasan beaga sa choimhearsnachd a’ coimhead airson làrach nua-aimsireil a bheir cothrom dhaibh air fàs. Tha an obair-sgioba air cùl an leasachaidh air fad smaoineachail, agus tha e a’ faireachdainn mar thoiseach rudeigin aig a bheil comas mòr mu choinneamh inbheisteadh san àm ri teachd.

Stad mi cuideachd aig Cnoc Soilleir, mòr-ionad beòthail cultarail is oideachail a tha cuimsichte air cànan, ceòl agus cultar na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh agus a neartachadh. Is e làrach bheòthail bhrosnachail a th’ ann a tha a’ cur taic ri ionnsachadh, ceòl, rannsachadh agus gnìomhachd coimhearsnachd air feadh Uibhist a Deas.

’Se eisimpleir air leth a th’ ann de mar as urrainn do chultar agus iomairt tarraing air an aon ràmh gus coimhearsnachdan misneachail agus seasmhach a thogail. Aon uair ’s gum bi an dàrna ìre crìochnaichte, cuiridh e taic ri cleachdadh cunbhalach air a’ chànan tro thachartasan, cùrsaichean agus gnìomhachdan eile. A thuilleadh air sin, stiùiridh e fàs san eaconamaidh ionadail le bhith a’ cur ris an iomairt turasachd is cultarach ann an Innse Gall.

Rè m’ ùine ann an Steòrnabhagh, bha cothrom agam tadhal air an luchd-obrach san oifis againn ann an Steòrnabhagh, a bha na fhìor chothrom air cluinntinn mun obair a tha iad a’ dèanamh mar thaic do na h-oidhirpean sin gu h-ionadail.

An t-seachdain-sa, bidh mi a’ tadhal air buidhnean ann an Gallaibh agus Moireibh, ris a bheil mi a’ coimhead air adhart gu mòr agus ma bhios e ann an dòigh sam bith coltach ri m’ ùine ann an Uibhist agus Beinn na Faoghla, tha fios agam gum fàg mi ’s mi air m’ fhìor bhrosnachadh leis a’ chruthachalachd agus an àrd-amas a tha a’ stiùireadh ar roinn air adhart.

Angus Campbell is a local businessman in Lewis, employing 30 people in his own business which he established in 1996. He has 18 years’ experience as a councillor with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, serving as Leader for most of this time.

Angus has strong experience of funding issues and socio-economic challenges across the Highlands and Islands, such as transport and housing, and is focused on developing transformational opportunities in the region, including the energy sector.

He was a member of the Board of NatureScot and the Court of the University of the Highlands and Islands and was the founding chair of the Ferries Communities Board.

Angus has a long-standing commitment to Gaelic language and culture. He is a passionate advocate for community land ownership and supporting a strong third sector.

Angus Campbell was appointed chair of HIE for a three-year term from 1 November 2025.

He joined the board in September 2018 and has served as chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee and deputy chair. He was interim chair from 1 August 2025 until taking up his present position.

Angus Campbell Ltd, based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, is a private limited company primarily engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores.

Incorporated in December 1995, the company operates within the fuel retail sector.

The business is now primarily operated by his daughter.