Cruise engagement event held in Stornoway
Organisations across Lewis and Harris are invited to attend the Spring Engagement Event at the Caladh Hotel, Stornoway, on Thursday 5 March.
Plans to establish a new rural veterinary service in Moray have secured up to £75,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The Craig Vets (TCV) is forecast to create nine full time equivalent jobs from the outset, increasing to 15 within three years.
The new independent venture will be based in the village of Craigellachie, close to Aberlour and Dufftown. It will offer tailored services, 24-hour care, a hydrotherapy treadmill and time in stabling, equine treatment rooms and stocks.
The HIE funding was secured through the agency’s Young Business Capital Grants scheme, which was open for applications until November 2025. It will contribute towards the fit out of the new premises and the purchase of equipment for the practice.
The building has been designed with a focus on sustainability and has been granted planning consent by Moray Council. It will be large enough to accommodate a rapidly growing team and configured to address the many challenges routinely faced by rural veterinary practices. It will include three consultations rooms, a laboratory and two operating theatres, as well as bedsits for staff on out of hours duty.
Senior development manager with HIE’s Moray team Steve Richards said:
“This is an entrepreneurial venture that will bring many benefits. It will create well-paid skilled jobs in rural Moray. These jobs and the service will help attract and retain talent in the area and benefit wider communities and other local businesses.
“There will be environmental benefits too; not just in the sustainability of the new premises, but the reduction in travel by people needing to access existing veterinary services. I’m delighted we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to seeing the project take shape.”
Veterinary surgeon and founder of The Craig Vets Stacey Douglas said:
“I started considering opening my own practice after leaving my previous position in Spring of 2024. The scope of the project has grown arms and legs somewhat since then, and HIE has been invaluable in helping me get The Craig Vets to the stage it’s at. Their funding and practical support (for example in climate strategy) has helped give the practice the best possible start in offering a complete local service centred on the surrounding community’s needs. We’re so looking forward to opening our doors, hopefully in May this year.”
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