Kirsty Elizabeth Studios
Read about how Kirsty Elizabeth Studios has benefitted from being a part of HIE's IMPACT30 programme for young business leaders.
Your future in our region
More and more people are choosing to live, work, study and invest in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Quite simply put, it’s because our region offers you the chance to live your best life, right here.
Whether it's the great outdoors that floats your boat, a ceilidh with your friends that makes your head spin, or even a trip back in time at one of the hundreds of historical sites that makes your heart beat faster, you can experience it all here.
You’ve probably already heard that the Highlands and Islands is a stunningly beautiful region. But did you know, the area is also packed with thriving businesses, social enterprises and communities? It's the perfect place to develop the career you want with the lifestyle you deserve.
Out of the ordinary opportunities
There are a wide range of career options in the Highlands and Islands. Meet some of the people who have set up or are working with amazing businesses or social enterprises.
Renewable Parts
West coast company at the forefront of greening the wind turbine supply chain.
Fibre 1
Digital connections from Moray
Tiree Development Trust
Community-led development at the heart of social and economic progress.
Kyloe
Local talent with a worldwide client base. Find out how HIE supported the Orkney business expand and reach new markets.
Work life choices with homeworking
You can have both a career and the lifestyle you want by working from home in our region
Angus Davidson
Growing skills in the region to protect our environment
WELAN
From London consultancy to high quality, ethical fashion production.
Islay Sea Adventures
Islay business developing new talent in outdoor adventure sector
Shetland Amenity Trust
Shetland organisation with the islands' heritage at its core
Supporting skills in our region
Keeping home grown talent and attracting new people to build a life here is a vital part of our region's future. We offer graduate placement programmes, innovation and technology support, leadership training, and management development to support core business skills.
Find out a bit more about some of the talented people making a difference to our businesses across the region from our blogs and news stories.
Dream job in Shetland for fashion Graduate
Laurence Odie Knitwear in Shetland is carrying on a centuries old legacy, but in a modern way.
Laurence Odie Knitwear
Next generation of netzeroheroes
See the blogs from our graduate placements working to grow businesses while protecting our environment.
Our placement blogs
Outer Hebrides Graduates
Find out more about the range of jobs our Graduate Support Programme placements are delivering in the Outer Hebrides.
New graduates recruited in the Outer Hebrides
Orkney Graduates
Meet the seven talented graduates based in Orkney businesses and organisations.
Orkney businesses welcome graduates to new roles
Black Bay Studio
Cal Roden moved to the Isle of Lewis for a graduate post with Black Bay Studio. He says:
“These jobs come up very rarely. When I saw this job advertised, I thought it was ideal, and I had to jump at it, as it was the best chance to get into what I always wanted to do.”
Our region
470,000
people in the region.
3.1%
low rate of unemployment in the region
1
our region is frequently voted as the happiest place to live
20
lower weekly cost of living than London
Live in the Highlands and Islands
There's so much to see and do in the Highlands and Islands and a lifestyle to suit everyone.
Warm and friendly people, vibrant towns, thriving communities and stunning scenery – what’s not to love? These are just a few of the reasons people around the world choose to live and work in the Highlands and Islands.
SCOTLAND'S MIGRATION SERVICE
Get all the help you need to make the move. Scotland’s Migration Service can help you settle in the Highlands and Islands. It’s aimed at:
- People who have moved to Scotland within the past six months
- International students in their final year at a Scottish university or college who would like to stay in Scotland after graduating
- Employers based in Scotland who would like to hire international workers
- Investors based in another country who would like to set up or expand a business in Scotland.
You can book appointments with advisers and immigration lawyers through this service to help you with your move.
Find out more and get support on Scotland.org
It's easy to make the move
Have a look through our videos to hear from people who've already made the move from across the globe to the Highlands and Islands.
Study here
With seven universities in the region and a network of further and higher education institutes, there's no lack of choice when it comes to studying in the Highlands and Islands.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. The University is a partnership of 13 independent colleges and research institutions. Each is locally based and rooted in communities but with a national and international reach.
The network offer a diverse range of courses, many that take advantage of the unique environment, landscape and culture that can only be found in the Highlands and Islands.
In addition to UHI, the other six universities with a presence in the region are Heriot Watt, University of Aberdeen, SRUC (Scottish Rural College), Glasgow School of Art and Robert Gordon University.
Visit
Ready to fall in love with our region? Then why not come for a visit. It could be the first step on your adventure of a lifetime.
SUPPORT THE #BEHERE CAMPAIGN
Businesses, communities and agencies are all sharing good news and opportunities from across the Highlands and Islands.
If you want to find out more visit our campaign page for resources and information you can use.
The areas which make up the Highlands and Islands
Find out more about what makes each part of our region unique.
Argyll and the Islands
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Argyll and the Islands.
Caithness and Sutherland
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Caithness and Sutherland.
Inner Moray Firth
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in the Inner Moray Firth.
Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Locchber, Skye and Wester Ross
Outer Hebrides
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in the Outer Hebrides.
Moray
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Moray.
Orkney
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Orkney.
Shetland
Supporting businesses, communities and investors in Shetland.