A Landmark Week: A New Era for West Highland Business

I am incredibly excited to reflect on a truly monumental week of hosting Liz Cameron, CEO of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, here in the West Highlands. Her visit was a powerful signal of the Scottish Chambers’ commitment to our local communities, and it marked a new era for our business network. The week was a masterclass in collaboration and innovation, showcasing our region’s dynamic potential.

Pioneering the Blue Economy

Our week kicked off with a deep dive into the blue economy with a visit to the Scottish Association For Marine Science (SAMS) . It was a privilege to showcase this world-leading institution to Liz and highlight how their cutting-edge research is being directly applied to commercial solutions. From subsea robotics to pioneering seaweed cultivation and advanced aquaculture software, SAMS is turning science into business success. Their commitment is clear: to help businesses innovate and protect the ocean. We also took part in a dynamic roundtable with business leaders, exploring the vast potential of the blue economy and how we can continue to lead in this vital sector.

The Power of Capital Investment

Following our visit to SAMS, we were honoured to be hosted by Ali Ferguson and his team at Kishorn Port. We were absolutely blown away to see firsthand what a £40 million investment looks like on the ground. The scale of the port’s infrastructure and the incredible work being undertaken there is a testament to the power of long-term capital projects and the confidence they instill in our local economy.

A Milestone for Skye

The week’s momentum then carried us to Skye for a truly historic business session at the stunning Skeabost House Hotel. This event was a major step forward in strengthening the voice of Skye’s business community, a long-standing ambition of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network. We were proud to officially welcome Skye into the national Chamber Network through the newly formed West Highland Chamber of Commerce. The energy in the room was electric, with a vibrant cross-section of founders and leaders coming together to share their challenges, ideas, and forward-thinking solutions. Skye’s voice is now a powerful part of a national conversation, and this is just the beginning.

Looking to the Future in Fort William

To round off the week, we held a fantastic networking lunch in Fort William with Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The discussions with Liz and Stuart were a powerful mix of optimism and pragmatism. There is great excitement and optimism for the significant capital investment coming into the Highlands, which will be a catalyst for future growth. However, Stuart was also clear in his concern regarding the ongoing constriction of revenue funding for businesses. It was a crucial discussion that reinforced the need for us to continue to champion both the long-term strategic vision and the day-to-day operational support our members need to thrive.

The week proved that by working closely with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and our key partners, we can truly understand what drives success and help our local businesses not just survive, but flourish.