Hello. We're planning to disable the MyHIE website account functionality shortly. If you'd like to keep up to date with news and support from HIE, please sign up to our newsletter.
12/05/2025
ekosgen, part of GC Insight, was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) on behalf of the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) to undertake research to better understand the breadth of economic opportunities across the Highlands and Islands.
The dual purpose of the study is to better understand the breadth of economic opportunities with the greatest potential to bring transformational change to the region’s economy and society, and to inform planning and decision-making by HIREP partners to maximise benefits.
The findings will be used to inform policies and planning around topics such as population attraction and retention, skills, housing provision and transport.
A collaborative, holistic, and place-based approach is described in the report as ‘critical’ in realising the benefits of the opportunities, and something that ‘must happen at pace’.
Throughout the report projects are referred to as Regional Transformational Opportunities (RTOs). The study sought to identify and quantify (where possible) strategic projects and investments planned or proposed for the region over the period 2025 to 2040. RTOs covered within the study included:
Membership of the HIREP includes local authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, UHI, NatureScot, VisitScotland, Bord na Gaidhlig, HITRANS, Cairngorm National Park Authority, the Crofting Commission, business representatives and third sector organisations.
The full report and executive summary are available to view and download below.
Discover more reports
Research exploring the views and experiences of community groups and organisations across the Highlands and Islands on how they can maximise opportunities related to community wealth building (CWB).
This report, published in September 2025, presents findings from the Business Panel survey carried out in June and July 2025.
The Social Enterprise Census provides a regular, comprehensive picture of social enterprise in Scotland—its scale, impact, and the needs of the organisations behind it.
