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Key Competitive Attractions

Invest in the Highlands and Islands...

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the government agency responsible for economic and social development in the following areas of northern Scotland:

Click on an area for more economic information

• Argyll and the Islands
• Caithness and Sutherland
• Inner Moray Firth
• Innse Gall / Outer Hebrides
• Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross
• Moray
• Orkney
• Shetland

Rich in natural resources, clusters in life sciences have developed, and the region has huge potential for renewable energy production. Boasting a world-class education system, modern infrastructure, affordable housing, low crime rates and unique opportunities in the marine renewable energy sector, the Highlands and Islands region is an attractive location for business and leisure (see Quality of Life).

Priority Sectors:

• Life Sciences
• Creative Industries
• Renewable Energy
• Financial & Business Services
• Tourism & Leisure
• Food & Drink Production

The Highlands and Islands offers a friendly and supportive business environment, where operational costs are comparatively lower than the rest of Scotland and the UK, and where opportunities for commercial property and land development are highly flexible.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise works with Scottish and UK government, and other development agencies to provide comprehensive support to businesses in the region. HIE invests heavily in its workforce, and in the growth of its key sectors.

Major Investments in the Highlands and Islands:

• European Marine Energy Park
• European Marine Science Park
• Inverness Campus
• Moray Life Science Centre
• Elgin – City for the Future
• John O’Groats
• Enterprise Park Forres
• Kintyre Development Company
• Centre for Health Science
• Mareel Creative Industries and Media Centre
• Arnish Manufacturing Yard
• Scrabster Harbour

Assistance and Support For New Business Investors

Highlands & Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for the north and west of Scotland, delivering aims set by the Government Economic Strategy (GES). For more information, please read the Scottish Government Strategic Guidance.

HIE operates from 13 offices based throughout the Highlands and Islands to better serve local communities. HIE is constantly investing in businesses and transformational projects to make the Highlands and Islands a more competitive and attractive place to live, work, and play.

Main Priorities of Highlands and Islands Enterprise:

• Supporting businesses and social enterprises in shaping and realising their growth objectives
• Strengthening communities and fragile areas
• Developing key sectors and distinct regional opportunities
• Creating the conditions for a competitive and low-carbon region

The HIE Operating Plan details their annual budget and investment priorities, shaped by the Scottish Economic Strategy and the Skills for Scotland strategy. You’ll find all these documents in Publications.

The Skills Strategy was created to outline the significance of equipping people with skills, expertise and knowledge to economic growth. In order to support workforce development and help install an effective learning infrastructure, HIE works closely with the leading organisation in this field - Skills Development Scotland.

Every year, HIE invests millions of pounds of grant-in-aid funding to deliver the aims of the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy.
HIE publishes monthly reports that list all new funding approvals, detailing how they invest in businesses, social enterprises, communities and projects throughout the Highlands and Islands.

See the latest report on funding approvals.

Existing Business Base

• The Highlands and Islands was less affected by the economic downturn than other areas, and has been relatively quick to recover.
• Unemployment rates throughout the region remain below the Scottish and UK averages.
• The tourism industry and public sector account for a large number of jobs in the Highlands and Islands. However, public spending cuts may significantly impact on the progression of our infrastructure and services, which rely heavily on the public sector.
• The traditional energy sector has equipped the local workforce with transferable skills that will serve the growing and evolving renewable energy sector
• Improved communications and broadband have enabled more people to working remotely, diversifying the economy of the Highlands and Islands.

More reasons to invest in the Highlands and Islands