Rise in number of firms being declared insolvent
The number of companies in Scotland declared insolvent has risen by 46% in a year, according to new analysis.
North ‘must build to stay an offshore wind player’
The north needs plants to manufacture equipment for the offshore wind industry to keep the area at the forefront of the sector’s development, Global Energy Group (Geg) chairman Roy MacGregor has said.
North hotel snapped up in deal ‘too generous to ignore’
The Craiglynne hotel, in Grantown, has been bought by the Bespoke Hotels group, after going on the market for £2 million.
Cruise Loch Ness hailed by tourism agency boss
Family-run tourism firm Cruise Loch Ness has invested a “six-figure sum” in developing a new booking office at its Fort Augustus base, with the company anticipating its busiest summer to date.
Delight as NC500 drives up tourism in Scotland
The head of the company behind NC500 has expressed his pride in the impact it has had on the Scottish tourism industry after its creation was voted one of the industry’s greatest moments of the past half century.
Forsyths buoyed by overseas sales boost
Whisky still-maker and fabrication group Forsyths has reported a drop in profits and turnover, but the boss of the family-run firm has said its overseas business “continues to flourish.”
Balfour Beatty awarded £37m hospitals contract
A £37 million contract to build two community hospitals in the Highlands has been awarded to international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty.
Fish farm giant to close two of its sea loch sites
Fish farming giant Mowi Scotland has announced plans to close and relocate two of its west coast sites that are close to sensitive wild salmon habitats.
Life is sweet for Highland firm with £64,000 expansion plans
A young Highland entrepreneur is embarking on a £64,000 expansion of his business, creating three new jobs in a Wester Ross hamlet.
First of three revamped Highland hotels has opened for business
The first of three Highland hotels bought and renovated at cost of more than £12 million by millionaire Indian leisure entrepreneur Sanjay Narang has opened for business.
Plans for £3.5 million food and drink technology centre for the Highlands revealed
Proposals have emerged for a £3.5 million food and drink technology centre to be developed in the Highlands.
Highland Airbnb hosts make more than £21m
People in the Highlands renting out space for Airbnb guests earned a total of more than £21 million last year, according to the online accommodation booking business.
German wind energy company to create new jobs in Highland capital
German wind energy company Enercon is to open a “flagship” Scottish distribution and training facility employing 20 people at Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) early next year.
North ‘ideal’ as test bed for aerospace industry
The Highlands & islands and Moray are an “ideal living laboratory” for aviation and aerospace testing, the UK Government has been told.
No investment future in Highlands and islands if air link not guaranteed
The UK Government has been warned companies in the Highland and islands “will not invest” if the future of air links with “hubs” such as Heathrow, allowing daily business trips and international connections, cannot be guaranteed.
Business owners to discuss how to ‘harness the spending power of the NC500’
Small business owners will gather in Inverness today to discuss ways they can “harness the spending power” of NC500 road trip tourists.
Joint venture is ‘natural step’ for inspection firms
A former senior executive at Global Energy Group (GEG) has joined forces with the firm again in a joint venture aimed at creating the “strongest offshore drilling inspection company in the North Sea”.
Support group’s ‘major impact’ in helping firms
Small company support organisation Outer Hebrides Business Gateway (OHBG) has hailed a “record year” and said its recent activity in the islands is expected to result in the creation and safeguarding of up to 120 jobs.
VAT recovery practice review by HMRC will be valuable, says HIE
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has said an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review of its VAT recovery practices, which has been under way for the past 20 months, will be “valuable” in updating its methods.
Acquisition of Moray firm ‘an exciting opportunity’
One of Moray’s oldest legal practices, Elgin-based Wink and Mackenzie (WM), has been acquired by Scottish law firm Harper Macleod.
Audit Scotland investigates HIE’s ability to run its crisis-hit Cairngorm ski resort
Scottish Government auditors are investigating the ability of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to run the Cairngorm ski area and questioning the organisation’s valuation of the resort’s failed funicular railway.
Plan for island-hopping flights really taking off
Further details have emerged of plans to launch the world’s first electric-powered passenger flights on island-hopping routes in Orkney.
Bank’s deputy governor sees inflation on horizon
Continuing caution among businesses over starting to invest again amid the Brexit process could see inflation pressures build, one of the most senior figures in the Bank of England told The Press and Journal yesterday.
Hoteliers’ fears over May’s exit
North hoteliers are hoping Theresa May’s departure from Downing Street will not stand in the way of top-level talks they have demanded on their “pressing fears” over Brexit.
Half of north businesses believe Brexit poses ‘risk’
Almost 500 companies in the Highlands and islands have said they believe Brexit presents a “significant risk” to their business.
Firm claims UK first on road of recycled plastic
Springfield Properties has claimed a UK first in the housebuilding industry by using waste plastic to build a road at one of its new developments.
Awards for SMEs reach £1m as first anniversary approaches
Awards from the Scottish Government’s Digital Development Loan fund to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have reached a total of £1 million as the first anniversary of its launch approaches next month.
Scottish high streets get a warm weather boost
Sunshine over the Easter weekend helped bring a welcome boost to the numbers of people heading for Scotland’s high streets and retail parks, according to figures released today.
Valuable delivery for Port of Cromarty Firth
The Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) has taken delivery of millions of tonnes of infrastructure for five major construction projects in the north and north-east.
Diageo submits detailed plan to revive distillery
Drinks giant Diageo has hailed reaching a “major milestone” in its plans to bring one of Scotland’s iconic “sleeping” distilleries back to life.
International businessman to deliver negotiation masterclass in the Highlands
An international business expert who has successfully brokered multi-billion-pound deals is hosting a two-day negotiation masterclass in Inverness this week.
Distillery founder hands over reins to manager
The founder of the world’s first 100% community-owned, fully sustainable distillery is toasting a major milestone in its development after handing over the running of the business to its manager.