, published this week. It's not long after the first anniversary of my move from Glasgow to the Black Isle, so it has had me reflecting on what I've learned since that flit. The HIE strategy reflects changes afoot in the economy - space launchpads, marine bio-technology, more potential for the creative industries. Not only does the agency see Net Zero as an opportunity, it plans to make a credible commitment to reducing emissions as a condition for support to a business client. But the Scottish government's economic agency is coy and reticent about the most contentious political issue for the area, of transport. "Major transport and digital connectivity improvements have been made over past decades and the regi){kind=link}
It’s the size of Belgium, they tell you, though the similarities stop around there. Much of the region has sparse population and is designated ‘less favoured area’ for the quality of its agricultural land.
However, it’s more favoured for its tourism appeal, in an industry given booster rockets by the power of Instagram. It has many of Scotland’s most important food and drink successes, and many more of its answers to the climate emergency.
The Highlands and Islands economy has long been seen as a drain of people and talent, or an expensive drain on funds. But that has changed, and the region is on the cusp of changing much faster, as a renewable powerhouse for the UK and beyond, and even as a launchpad for space.
That potential was reflected in the next five-year strategy for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), published this week.
It’s not long after the first anniversary of my move from Glasgow to the Black Isle, so it has had me reflecting on what I’ve learned since that flit.