Two north business projects which promise to increase jobs and industry in Caithness and Sutherland have received the final go-ahead thanks to a double funding boost announced this week.

The economy of the Highlands and Islands is set for massive change in the 21st century, with advances in information and communications technology holding out the prospect of a new wave of investment and job opportunities.

Sports enthusiasts from Orkney are getting fitter by thinking smarter thanks to a local sports therapy expert.

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) has become the first organisation in the north to be awarded Charter Mark, the Government's award for excellence in public service, for a third successive term.

The smallest fish farm in Orkney is set to lead the islands' aquaculture industry into a new era by becoming the first operator to move into the commercial production of halibut.

A Skye-based IT company, which started as a one-man operation but now employs 14 staff specialising in the internet, web design and e-commerce, is set to expand further creating nine new jobs. Gael.net Limited are embarking on the development and marketing of powerful new internet software applications.

Tutors from one of Britain's leading animation courses arrived in Unst, Shetland this week (Saturday 16th - Thursday 21st December) as Scotland's newest animation studio gets under way.

The New Year will mean a new fuel facility for islanders on Jura after securing funding from the Scottish Executive's Rural Petrol Station Scheme as well as support from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and Argyll and Bute Council.

Construction is set to get underway on a new advance office building, capable of housing a tele-business type of company, in the Ness area of Lewis.

Lochaber's natural heritage and the area's young people are among those to benefit from recent Community Action Grants (CAG) awarded by Lochaber Limited, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network. Two community centres are also reaping the rewards of the scheme which aims to strengthen communities throughout Lochaber.

18 December 2000

Upgrading work, soon to begin on an Isle of Barra hotel, is set to provide a new dining experience for locals and visitors alike.

The announcement that the eastern parts of the area covered by Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE) are to be administered under the umbrella of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in future, has been warmly welcomed by the HIE Network

Sandy Cumming, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has welcomed today's announcement on local economic forums and the status of local enterprise companies by Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Wendy Alexander:

A new alliance to support the development of technology-related businesses in the Highlands will hold its first meeting in Inverness on Wednesday evening [6 December].

An innovative new idea by a north farmer has seen farm animals across Orkney become the best read in Scotland as well as dramatically reducing the amount of waste paper going for incineration.

Organisers of the Highland Food Festival have appointed a new festival director. Willie Cameron, of the Drumnadrochit Hotel has taken up the challenge and promises that the 2001 Highland Food Festival, to be held between Thursday 4th and Sunday 7th October, will be the best yet.

Two differing projects, which will provide a total of 13 new jobs in the Bays area of Harris, have been the focus of attention today (Monday 4th December) as local MSP and Minister for the Highlands and Islands Alasdair Morrison visited the area.

Boosting confidence in communities throughout the Highlands and Islands is top of the agenda for Stuart Black, who has just been appointed director of strengthening communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

A group of unemployed people in rural Lochaber are being given the chance to learn a variety of new skills and improve the environment they live in through an innovative project under the New Deal for Young People programme.

Businesses throughout the Highlands and Islands are to be helped to make the most of the internet through a series of advanced courses being organised by development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

A £4.75 million project creating new visitor accommodation and a sports centre on Arran is set to create up to 40 new jobs on the island and will have a major impact on the local economy.

It has been a long and arduous journey, hitting the buffers on more than one occasion, but to the relief of the West Highland Rail Heritage Trust, the London Marylebone turntable has finally arrived in Fort William to become part of the famous West Highland Line.