A press release from Highlands and Islands set us digging - see it at the bottom of this article. Something strange is happening in Scotland’s salmon industry, and it’s not the kind of thing you’ll find in a government press release.
Three NDA group employees awarded honours in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours list. Three NDA group employees have been awarded honours in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours list, for services to the nuclear industry and the local community.
For decades, Highlands and Islands Enterprise was the economic backbone of the far north. It wasn’t perfect, but it was one of the few institutions that understood the basic truth of life in Caithness: distance costs money, and if the state doesn’t step in, the market won’t.
Caithness has reached a moment where the old assumptions about public investment no longer hold. For decades, the region could rely on a three‑pillar system: HIE to drive economic development, Scottish Enterprise and national programmes to support growth, and Highland Council to deliver the infrastructure that underpins daily life.
Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd is aiming to demonstrate that juvenile halibut can be grown successfully and commercially in sea cages in Scottish waters. A £97,400 aquaculture research and development project in Argyll, is aiming to demonstrate that juvenile halibut can be grown successfully and commercially in sea cages in Scottish waters.
Bill introduced to Parliament this week will unlock growth and investment across the country and boost protections for consumers. Wider access to credit unions for consumers, simplifying regulation and reducing the number of regulators are some of the changes being brought forward.
An independent review will look at how shifts in face-to-face banking services affect people and communities, with new powers enabling the Government to act on what it finds. Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has commissioned independent review to protect access to face‑to‑face banking across the UK.
Thirty women from across the region are starting out on a new leadership programme launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The women, who come from a wide range of sectors, age groups and communities, are taking part in the 16-week HIE Impact Women programme.
Hunterston B nuclear power station in North Ayrshire has transferred ownership from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Today, Hunterston B nuclear power station in North Ayrshire has transferred ownership from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to be decommissioned by its subsidiary Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS).
Seven innovative projects to support small food and drink producers in parts of the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £169,750 through the Small Producers Pilot Fund. Seven innovative projects to support small food and drink producers in parts of the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £169,750 through the Small Producers Pilot Fund.
A new guide has been published (20 March 2026) to help growers who want to explore the potential for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in rural and island locations. CEA is the practice of growing crops in a controlled setting where factors like temperature, light, humidity, and nutrients can be carefully managed for optimal plant growth.
Office for Nuclear Regulation grant a site licence to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) - major milestone that will enable the site's decommissioning. With exactly two weeks until Hunterston B becomes the UK's first Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) site to transfer into UK Government ownership, a major milestone that will enable the nuclear power station’s decommissioning has been achieved.
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Impact Women programme offers free support to help female-led businesses in Scotland grow. This is a 16-week programme that includes both in-person and online sessions.
Entrepreneurship plays a significant role in economic growth, innovation, and job creation. In Scotland, the landscape of new business creation has changed noticeably in recent years, particularly in relation to gender.
Following a successful pilot in 2025, Regional EDGE, the regional arm of Scottish EDGE, returned in 2026 to offer entrepreneurs from across the region the chance to pitch for a share of the £100,00 prize fund. Funds were allocated through a competitive process, which involved pitching to a panel of judges, and delivered in collaboration with Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE).
If you're looking for a financial partner that puts people before profit, Scotland's credit unions are one of the strongest choices you can make. They're ethical, community‑driven, and built to help you take control of your money and not the other way around.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is launching a UK‑wide training programme to support the development of project professionals across the nuclear sector. The One NDA Project Academy is an expansion of a programme initially launched at Sellafield in 2016.
Rachel Hunter reflects on the Highland Women Growth Summit, highlighting the challenges facing women in business, celebrating progress, and marking the launch of HIE Impact Women. I had an absolutely energising day at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness last Friday where over 100 women business leaders and policy makers gathered at the first ever Highland Women Growth Summit.
This free 6-week programme helps businesses in the Highlands and Islands understand the impact of climate change on their business and take steps to prepare for it. What does this involve? This free 6-week programme helps businesses in the Highlands and Islands understand the impact of climate change on their business and take steps to prepare for it.
HIE Impact Women will support 30 women leaders from businesses and social enterprises that have an annual turnover of at least £25,000. Women in leadership roles in businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to apply for a fully funded development programme aimed at boosting growth, enhancing leadership capability and building strong support networks across the region.