Four young people from Orkney have become the first fully qualified engineers from the island to achieve the full engineering modern apprenticeship.

The new chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is to be Sandy Cumming. Mr Cumming, who has worked with the HIE Network since its inception, takes up the post immediately.

Efforts to boost export sales by Highlands and Islands business are to be stepped up a gear with the launch of a new international trade development programme.

Achieving future prosperity for Caithness and Sutherland depends on working in partnership with others and a willingness to change depending on priorities and needs.

Job losses and a lack of orders at oil fabrication yards in the Highlands and Islands have led many ex-oil workers to re-think what the future holds for them and their families.

The Crannog Concept Limited, a Fort William-based business involved in the catching, processing and serving of fresh fish, is set to expand with help from the Local Enterprise Company.

A Skye community is to get its own shop, providing locals and visitors with a much needed service and helping to boost economic activity in one of the more peripheral areas of the island.

Focusing on key sectors of IT, food and drink, tourism and marketing has helped provide new opportunities for local people, according to Ross and Cromarty Enterprise.

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) have announced they are investing £150,000 in the new orientation and tourist information centre in Bute, which is hoped will attract more repeat visits and encourage visitors to stay longer.

A totally unique business, located in a remote part of Skye is moving into the 'premier league' with help from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE). Football fan Alexander Graham compiles, produces and sells statistical soccer books and is preparing to expand the business by purchasing specialist new equipment.

Residents of Applecross in Wester Ross are on the crest of a wave today (Friday, 13 October) as a recently completed £260,000 pier was officially opened.

Tourism operators in the Highlands and Islands will soon be benefiting from improvements made to two of the most influential industry training courses in Scotland. The revised 'Welcome Host' and 'Scotland's Best Service' courses have just been unveiled to an audience of training providers and industry representatives in Inverness.

A study to examine the effects of establishing a fixed link between the two most northerly islands in Scotland has been commissioned by Shetland Enterprise.

If the Western Isles economy is to be expanded substantially and the depopulation of the islands reversed, the improvement of transport links between the Western Isles and the Scottish mainland has to be a priority. This was stressed today (Wednesday) at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) chairman, Dr Jim Hunter.

The economy of the Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) area continues to prosper despite a series of setbacks over the year. Unemployment is below the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) average and new business start-ups have increased.

Local people in the communities of Stromeferry and Achmore, in Skye and Lochalsh, could soon become their own landowners by purchasing over 100 acres of the Fernaig estate.

A Mallaig-based passenger ferry and freight boat operator is set to further improve the service he offers to remote west coast communities after receiving a business development grant from the local Enterprise Company.

Work has begun on a major workshop and office development in the Uig area of Lewis, which has the potential to generate eight jobs in an area recognised as very economically fragile.

The people of Kintyre can look forward to a fitter future with the opening in Campbeltown of a modern gymnasium, with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified staff.

Director of strengthening communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Lorne MacLeod has announced he is to leave the agency at the end of the year, to pursue a variety of business interests.

Small manufacturing and craft businesses in the Cowal area of Argyll are being presented with the opportunity to expand their businesses, with the completion of two new workshop units near Tighnabruaich.

An award winning Lochaber food manufacturer has recently expanded into new premises in a bid to meet demand for their special seafood dishes, resulting in 23 new jobs for the area.