So, what will 2018 hold for Scottish businesses?
After a snap general election, the beginning of Brexit and Bank of England interest rates rising for the first time in 10 years, the economy saw its share of surprises in 2017.
Scottish business
Fishing industry on a high, driven by better prices and a weak pound
New figures highlight the Scottish fishing industry’s major contribution to the UK fleet’s best economic performance in eight years.
Aberdeen missing out on Scottish industrial property boom
Knight Frank says Scotland’s industrial property market has enjoyed a “buoyant start” to 2017 despite woes in Aberdeen.
Lena Wilson bows out as head of Scottish Enterprise after nearly eight years
Scottish Enterprise (SE) said yesterday it was entering a “new phase" after chief executive Lena Wilson announced she was quitting the economic development quango.
Clydesdale Bank facing claims over past conduct
A group that was formed to gather claims against Royal Bank of Scotland over the conduct of its now defunct Global Restructuring Group has now turned its attention to Clydesdale Bank.
Have North Sea fishy favourites had their chips?
The leader of Scotland’s largest fishing industry body has dismissed claims that North Sea cod are getting smaller due to climate change.
Whisky-makers raise a glass to likely free trade deal with Japan
The trade body for Scotch whisky-makers toasted a political agreement on a new EU free trade deal with Japan yesterday.
Diageo says visitors are pouring into its distillery visitor centres
Scotland’s proud whisky heritage has attracted a record number of people through the doors of Diageo’s distilleries around the country.
Why are so many of Scotland’s budding young entrepreneurs losing their passion for business?
A leading bank says more needs to be done to translate youthful enthusiasm into entrepreneurship across Scotland.
Fishing chief says reports of a return to over-fishing are ‘preposterous’
Scottish fishing chiefs insisted yesterday the sustainable harvesting of stocks would remain a key priority for the industry after the UK leaves the EU.
Leading business group hatches plan to boost Scotland’s ailing economy
The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) and the Fraser of Allander Institute have teamed up to hatch a plan for reviving Scotland’s flagging economy.
Whisky firm Edrington bats off economic and political turmoil
Whisky-maker Edrington has shrugged off “a difficult backdrop of economic and political volatility” to report a 30% jump in profits.
Ury House at the heart of FM Group’s ‘transformation’ plans
Scottish property developer FM Group has reinforced its reputation for breathing new life into listed buildings after investing £10million into two historic landmarks.
EOWDC developer’s EU-backed fund will support four research projects
The developer behind a renewable-energy scheme taking shape off the north-east coast has named the projects that will share a £2.6million pot of funding for research into the environmental impacts of offshore wind generation.
Business group says it’s time to even up Scotland’s productivity
Closing major productivity gaps between different parts of Scotland could help to unlock up to £25billion of economic growth over the next decade, according to a leading business group.
Grant Thornton says Scots firms need reassurance from Trump
Scottish companies need “reassurance and clarity” over US president Donald Trump’s tax plans, Grant Thornton said yesterday.
New funding pot for Scottish firms could be worth £200m
Businesses looking for significant investment can claim a share of a £200million funding pot through a new scheme launched by the Scottish Government yesterday.
Fishers give the thumbs up to new Defra secretary
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said yesterday it welcomed the appointment of Michael Gove as the new secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs.
Scottish car sales plummet after tax changes
New car sales in Scotland suffered a 17.5% year-on-year plunge in April as motor traders felt the impact of sweeping tax changes, industry figures show.
Moray whisky family still the wealthiest in Scotland
The family behind one of Scotland’s most successful whisky firms has kept its place at the top of an annual league table of Scotland’s wealthiest people.
Scottish Government puts the squeeze on mackerel fishers
The Scottish Government is holding onto valuable mackerel quota while it gauges the success of voluntary efforts by fishers to help increase the amount of fish they land into the country’s ports.
Scots target new world seafood buyers amid EU market uncertainty
Scottish companies are targeting post-Brexit markets at the world’s largest seafood trade show.
Industry chiefs say EU fisheries are back to ‘greatness’ after years of sacrifice
A new report into the health of EU fish stocks has been hailed as proof that decades of industry self-sacrifice have restored fisheries to “greatness”..
Death rate boost for Scotmid amid challenging times for retailers
Scotland’s largest independent co-operative said a “lacklustre” retail market and the national living wage impacted on profits during the year to January 28.
North Sea herring maintains coveted MSC eco-label
North Sea herring has been given the thumbs up by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the body behind a highly-prized certification scheme, amid an ongoing furore over haddock.
Fishing safety scheme delivers 3,500 potential life-savers
A project aimed at saving lives at sea has distributed around 3,500 pieces of vital safety kit to Scottish fishers.
Irn-Bru firm Barr in bullish mood over sugar tax
The company behind Scotland’s “other national drink” insisted yesterday its sugar-cutting plan would not get in the way of its long-term growth.
Fishing body delivers Brexit message on the eve of Article 50
Scottish fishing chiefs took the opportunity in the final hours before the triggering of Article 50 to hammer home their demands for their sector to be wholly under UK control after Brexit.
Scottish research revels links between key fish stocks and the state of seabeds
The health of key Scottish fishing stocks is closely linked to the type and quality of the seabed, new research findings have confirmed.
Scottish firms were out in force at big Boston show
North America’s largest seafood trade showcase has been hailed as a big success for the Scottish firms on a mission to grow their exports across the Atlantic.
Haddock row ratchets up a gear
Scottish fishing chief Mike Park has warned the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) it could face legal action over its controversial haddock claims.
Fishing chiefs call for “false” claims about Scottish haddock to be retracted
Scottish fishing chiefs yesterday called for a conservation group to retract “false” claims about the state of North Sea and west coast haddock stocks.