When people talk about building wealth, the conversation often focuses on big things. Buying a house, Investing in shares, Building a pension, Receiving an inheritance.
For much of the twentieth century, saving money was not just a personal activity. It was often something communities did together.
Enterprise agencies in Scotland — Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and the South of Scotland Enterprise regularly publish impressive sounding figures about “jobs created”, “jobs retained”, and “economic impact”. These numbers appear in annual reports, ministerial speeches, and press releases.
Rural job creation is one of the most misunderstood parts of economic development. Politicians talk about “hundreds of jobs created”, enterprise agencies publish glossy figures, and press releases celebrate “transformational investment”.
Enterprise agencies in Scotland have spent decades publishing glossy numbers about “jobs created” and “jobs retained”. As the Highlands knows all too well, these figures often bear little resemblance to what actually happens on the ground.
Innovative robotic solutions being trialled at Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) Oldbury site to tackle most challenging aspects of legacy waste management. Oldbury nuclear decommissioning site is a trailblazer for robotics and other innovative approaches, with NRS deploying robotics trials in South Gloucestershire to tackle some of the most challenging aspects of legacy waste management, reducing risk to workers and improving efficiency.
Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) has delivered the third and final return of high-level waste (HLW), in the form of vitrified residue, to Germany. This marks the completion of an international commitment between the UK and Germany, and a significant milestone in the UK’s nuclear clean-up mission.
More than £50m of additional public investment was attracted to the Highlands and Islands last year by the region’s development agency. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) almost doubled its £53m opening budget from the start of financial year 2025/26, delivering an annual spend of £105m to create hundreds of jobs and grow the regional economy.
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HIE at Global Offshore Wind 2026, marking a shared commitment to strengthen the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland. The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HIE at Global Offshore Wind 2026, marking a shared commitment to strengthen the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.
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.