Ride your wave of success in Argyll and the Islands.
Argyll and the Islands
Discover our region
Find out what life's like in the Highlands and Islands.
How much do you know about the Highlands and Islands?
There's a lot to discover about our spectacular and diverse region. It's as rich in development opportunities and economic potential as it is in outstanding natural beauty.
Our population
With a population of around 470,000 people, it's home to 21,000 businesses and more than 8,000 voluntary and community groups. Investment in land, sea, and shore has seen businesses flourish across multiple sectors.
Unique opportunities for businesses and communities
We have a number of growth sectors with global reach. The renewable energy sector makes use of the region’s abundance of natural assets, and the food and drink sector exports produce such as whisky and salmon all over the world. World-class research institutions such as Inverness Campus, the European Marine Science Park, and Orkney Research and Innovation Campus are based here.
Our diverse landscape
From the country’s highest mountain to its deepest loch, it's an area of dramatic contrasts. World-famous attractions such as Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, and Glencoe bring hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The North Coast 500, a 500-mile road trip around the northernmost coast of mainland Scotland, has become one of the world’s most iconic coastal touring routes.
Education
Developing skills and creating new opportunities for our workforce is important to us. The University of the Highlands and Islands offers further and higher education at 13 colleges and research institutions, and more than 70 local learning centres. We also have six other Universities with a base in the region.
Highlands and Islands
470
is the population of our region
97
of community owned land in Scotland
81
of the region can access superfast broadband
2.3
level of unemployment across the region
Our areas
Find out about our unique geography and culture
Hone your skills with our highly talented workforce.
Caithness and Sutherland
Find your perfect opportunity in the vibrant Moray Firth area.
Inner Moray Firth
Live your best life in our thriving Highland capital, Inverness.
Inverness
History and innovation go hand in hand in the Outer Hebrides.
Outer Hebrides
Free your adventurous spirit in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross.
Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross
Make more in Moray - Scotland's manufacturing powerhouse.
Moray
Orkney is a land of opportunity forged by over 5,000 years of unique history.
Orkney
Where Scotland meets Scandinavia and the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Island life in perfect balance.
Shetland
Our growth sectors
We have an abundance of natural assets, skills and ambition in the Highlands and Islands. Find out how we're working to create new opportunities.
REGIONAL PROJECTS
Across the region we are involved in major projects which will make a real difference to our economy.
Encouraging young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics based subjects.
Science Skills Academy
Research, business and learning with a particular focus on Life Sciences and technology.
Inverness Campus
The natural home for marine science.
European Marine Science Park
Cairngorm Mountain offers visitors a unique experience all year round.
Cairngorm
Supporting the UK's Space Hub in Sutherland.
Space Hub Sutherland
Supporting the growth of Orkney’s world-leading marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector.
Orkney Research and Innovation Campus
We're better connected than ever before. Find out about our £146m fibre roll-out programme.
Broadband and digital infrastructure
Developing international skills at Altyre.
Glasgow School of Art at Altyre
HIE agus Gàidhlig.
Gaelic
With our help you can prepare your business for Brexit.
Prepare for Brexit
Meeting the needs of local businesses.
Northern Innovation Hub
Our region in detail
Want an in-depth look at the population, skills and lifestyle trends of the region? You'll find them here.
Our region in detail