Exciting progress continues at Sutherland Spaceport, as Orbex move closer to establishing the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport on the north coast of Scotland. Work packages for Phases 3 and 4 of construction are now open for tender, marking another key milestone in the development of this state-of-the-art facility.
Sutherland Spaceport will play a crucial role in the UK’s space industry, supporting environmentally sustainable launches and fostering innovation in satellite technology. This is your chance to contribute to a pioneering project that will position Scotland at the forefront of the global space sector.
The following trade packages are currently open for tender:
• Earthworks & Excavations
• Concrete Foundations and Slab
• Reinforcement to Concrete Items
• Drainage
• Steel Frame (supply only, install only, or supply and install)
• Roof and Wall Cladding
• Gutters, Downpipes, and Superstructure Drainage
• External Doors
• Windows
• Roller Shutter Doors
• Mechanical Installations (e.g., plumbing, ventilation, heating)
• Electrical Installations (e.g., lighting, power, data)
• Fencing
• External Concrete (similar to concrete foundations and slab)
If you’re interested in applying or would like more information, please contact Bryan McGhie by 29th November at bmcghie@nascentcc.co.uk
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the development of this exciting project!
AIDAsol in Scrabster harbour during an 11-night voyage earlier this year. Picture: Barry Scollay
Each year, the North Highlands beckon to those in search of adventure, new experiences, and escapism. Our region boasts a rich, diverse culture, defined by dramatic coastlines, untamed landscapes, sweeping panoramas, and abundant wildlife. Renowned for our deep- rooted history and famed ‘Highland Hospitality’, it’s not difficult to see why the North Highlands is a popular tourist destination.
With around 792,000 visitors annually, tourism in the North Highlands has a significant economic impact, supporting over 3,000 jobs and contributing £194.94 million to the local economy.1
In October, I was pleased to join peers and colleagues from across the wider Highland region for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The session gathered businesses and industry stakeholders to share reflections on the 2024 season and discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
A primary concern raised was the anticipated visitor levy in the Highlands, which many fear could reduce spending per visitor. Concerns were also voiced about rising costs affecting
both businesses and consumers, potentially rendering the Highlands an expensive destination and threatening the viability of some operators.
Economic outlook surveys indicate consumer spending remains subdued. Although disposable incomes have risen, many are choosing to save rather than spend, reflecting ongoing caution since the pandemic and uncertainty about the future.
The hospitality sector in our region is made up of a rich tapestry of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s unique visitor experience. These businesses—spanning small independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages, and boutique guesthouses—are often family-owned and deeply embedded in our communities. It is concerning to read the results of a survey published in October by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers2. The survey revealed that over two- thirds of self-catering operators in Scotland (68%) reported experiencing a ‘negative’ or ‘extremely negative’ impact on their mental health and wellbeing due to recent regulatory changes regarding short-term let regulations. There is a strong sentiment that these regulations have caused financial strain, as well as increased anxiety and uncertainty, highlighting a clear sense of discontent within the sector.
Trudy Morris, Caithness Chamber of Commerce
1 Based on 2022 STEAM data
Tourism and hospitality businesses in North Highlands have indeed faced significant challenges in recent years, including rising costs and the effects of a cooling of a post-Covid boom. The recent Autumn Budget adds further pressures, with tax increases, rising operational costs, and fragile consumer confidence all impacting growth prospects.
Looking to 2025, we anticipate a challenging year and are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce much-needed reforms to business rates, aligning the hard-pressed hospitality sector with the rest of the UK to provide essential relief.
There are, however, new opportunities on the horizon and reasons to be hopeful. A major highlight of the year was the designation of the Flow Country as a World Heritage Site in July. The 10,000-year-old blanket bog, now recognised alongside sites such as the Serengeti and Great Barrier Reef, will undoubtedly elevate the global profile of Caithness and Sutherland, fostering international collaborations and potential economic growth while safeguarding our unique natural heritage.
Scrabster Harbour reported a successful year, welcoming 13 cruise ships, including the 71,304-tonne AIDAsol, which is the largest vessel to ever dock at the port. It was wonderful to see the excitement in Thurso’s town centre as local businesses and volunteers went above and beyond to welcome travellers. It is clear the North Highlands has much to offer to visitors.
The businesses in our region deserve recognition for their resilience as they adapt to the challenges of a constantly changing industry. Moving forward, Caithness Chamber and Venture North are dedicated to supporting our members in navigating an increasingly complex economic environment.
2 https://www.assc.co.uk/industry-news/new-survey-government-regulations-causing-spike-in-mental-health-problems-in-scottish-tourism-sector
View from the Board, Andrew Mackay, Proprietor, The Caithness Collection.
Andrew Mackay, The Caithness Collection
In rural areas such as the North Highlands, where communities can be fragile and employment opportunities limited, the hospitality industry plays a crucial role in retaining local talent and reducing out-migration. It offers a wide range of jobs, from entry-level to managerial roles, with flexible hours that suit individuals such as parents, older workers, and students who need to balance other commitments.
However, changes to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) set out in the Autumn Budget will have a disproportionate impact on the hospitality sector, creating significant challenges. The newly lowered threshold will bring thousands of part-time staff into Employer NICs for the first time.
According to UK Hospitality, the sector’s trade body, this change could cost the industry up to four times more than the new headline rate3. Sadly, these changes put an undue burden
on hospitality businesses, which are vital for providing local employment, while favouring businesses that have reduced their workforce through automation or use of technology. These changes to NICs are simply unsustainable for our businesses. With no ability to pass these costs onto customers, the burden will fall directly on us. The Government must urgently consider measures to protect businesses that rely on employing large, diverse workforces.
The human element is what sets hospitality apart. Our teams are essential for understanding and meeting the needs of our guests, building relationships, and creating memorable
experiences. From weddings and graduations to birthdays and funerals, we are entrusted with some of the most significant moments in our customers’ lives—a responsibility our team takes seriously. Hospitality businesses in the North Highlands are at the heart of our local communities.
disproportionately%20affecting%20hospitality
We are excited to announce that Caithness’s largest and most influential jobs, careers, training, and recruitment event is returning to Thurso at the UHI ETEC building on Saturday, 8th February 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local talent, showcase career pathways, and share insights into job opportunities within your organisation.
Interactive activities have proved popular in our previous events – those seeking employment or identifying future career options get a real understanding of how businesses function and the skills required to be part of that workforce.
Some examples of interactive activities and demonstrations provided by companies have included:
• Simulators, Virtual Reality & Demonstrators
• Hair & Beauty, Cookery, Hospitality, Woodwork and Engineering Demonstrations
• Police Riot Gear & Safety Equipment
If you would like to find out more information or register as an exhibitor at the event, please contact tom@dywnh.scot
This month, we’re thrilled to welcome our new Business Members GRG Electrical, Rolls-Royce, Prosper, MLG Electrical Contractor, The Flow Country Partnership, Jan Sutherland Floristry, DandH Law Ltd, Local Lens Media, Wick Players, Galileo Empower Ltd, Caithness Corporate Health, John O’Groats Mill Trust, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, North Coast Watersports, and Elastic Creative
We look forward to working with them all!
To discuss membership, please reach out to our Business Development manager, Fiona Levack. You can contact Fiona by email: fiona@caithnesschamber.com. You can read about membership on the website using this link.
If you’re already a member but would like a reminder of how to get the most from your membership, Fiona will gladly go over that with you too.
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems
- Funded by Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO)
- The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes at midday 14 January 2025 (GMT)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems. Run on behalf of Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office, this competition seeks proposals that can develop new, or adapt existing, air systems software applications to comply with the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA).
PYRAMID is a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiative to develop time and cost efficient avionics and mission systems to deliver operational advantage. PYRAMID is suitable for both future air systems and legacy systems.
This DASA Competition will give you the opportunity to align new, or modify existing programmes to demonstrate compliance with PYRAMID. This approach not only offers numerous benefits but also improves compatibility with major air programmes.
Learn more about PYRAMID in the full competition document.
Key dates and funding
The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT). We expect to fund a number of proposals.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday 14 January 2025 (GMT).
Do you have an innovation? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Supporting events
Launch Webinar
On Thursday 14 November, join us for a competition launch webinar; providing further detail on the challenge area and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.
Please attend the launch webinar or reach out to your local Innovation Partner if you have questions on DASA’s application process.
1-2-1 Sessions
A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum. Registration details for these sessions can be found in the competition document.
Get up to speed with all the details by reading the full competition document.
Submit a proposal
Do you have a novel idea that can benefit end-users working in UK Defence and Security? Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.
Stay warm for less this winter.
During Scotland’s winters, when the mercury often plummets to well below zero, heating our workplaces to comfortable levels becomes essential. But it is also a big expense. For some organisations it can account for as much as half of total energy bills.
At this time of year, even the smallest inefficiencies will waste hard-earned profits, increase your carbon footprint, and impact you and your staff’s comfort and productivity.
What can you do?
There are lots of quick and easy checks you can do, and changes you can make, that will help you stay for warm less. And the good news is that Business Energy Scotland is providing free and impartial advice and access to funding to help make some of the bigger changes too.
Business Energy Scotland’s range of guides, videos and case studies will help you keep your heating bills low and staff warm this winter.
Read more tips and find help and advice on the Business Energy Scotland website : https://businessenergyscotland.org/get-ready-for-winter/
Louise Sinclair, vice chair of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and general manager at Sinclair Bay Subsea, reflects on the change at John O’Groats
Earlier this month, we were joined by our members for the seventeenth Annual General Meeting of Caithness Chamber of Commerce. This year, our AGM was held in John O’Groats, a village that has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past 15 years. From being cruelly labeled ‘Carbuncle of the Year’ to becoming a thriving visitor destination, the village’s development has been nothing short of remarkable. The enhancement of local facilities and visitor experiences has worked in synergy with the iconic status and dramatic coastline of John O’Groats, while successfully preserving its local identity and supporting businesses in the area.
We were warmly welcomed at 8 Doors Distillery by founder Kerry Campbell, one of the outstanding local enterprises that has contributed to this dynamic transformation. Established in 2022, 8 Doors Distillery proudly holds the title of mainland Scotland’s most northerly distillery. With a contemporary interior and panoramic views across the Pentland Firth, this modern, forward-looking distillery has turned a neglected site into a flourishing local business, celebrating both heritage and innovation.
Growth, investment, and innovation were key themes in the establishment of the distillery and are indeed vital to the future of our region. However, many businesses in our area continue to grapple with rising costs, labour and skills shortages, and regulatory pressures. At both a local level and as part of the wider Scottish Chambers Network, Caithness Chamber has played a pivotal role in holding governments and policymakers to account on economic and business policies, ensuring that the voice of the North Highlands is heard as part of the national conversation. This work is ongoing, and we remain committed to holding key decision-makers in Inverness, Holyrood, and the newly elected UK Parliament to account, ensuring our region’s priorities remain high on the agenda.
Our commitment to creating a narrative of opportunity for our region’s young people is also fortified by our work with Developing the Young Workforce North Highland, delivering over 400 events and activities for young people from primary school through to S6 this year alone. A special thank you goes out to the business leaders and industry experts who have acted as role models, and generously given their time and expertise to show our young people that anything is possible.
This year’s AGM celebrated the remarkable achievements and dedication of the team at Caithness Chamber. We continue to provide practical advice and support to our members through informative events, business-to-business connections, and mentoring initiatives, strengthening our community and local economy.
Each year, we strive to elevate our impact, and with the ongoing support of our members, partners, and stakeholders, we are confident that together, we will build a more resilient, entrepreneurial, prosperous, and sustainable economy for the future.
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
This year, our AGM was held against the backdrop of having just celebrated 50 years since the first chamber of commerce was established in Caithness. At the 50th Annual Dinner, we reflected on how far the Chamber has come since 1974 and indeed since the ‘new’ chamber was established some sixteen years ago. With a staff of eleven, it has become the foremost business organisation in the North Highlands, punching above its weight and delivering value for our members, the community and the region as a whole.
Our Chamber has had a successful year, welcoming new members and actively engaging with businesses through a variety of events. We launched a new series of business networking events, offering invaluable opportunities for members to establish connections and raise their business profiles. We’ve also been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support shown for our new Members’ Insight initiative, where members have generously shared their knowledge and expertise with their peers.
Talent attraction and access to skilled labour remain critical challenges for businesses across all sectors in our region. In a proactive response, we are pleased to have welcomed Lindsay Matthews as our Talent Attraction Specialist for the Recruit North Highlands initiative, in partnership with the Focus North collaboration. Working closely with local businesses to identify skills gaps, Recruit North Highlands will elevate the North Highlands as a premier destination to live, work, study, and invest. Lindsay will provide tailored support and guidance to prospective candidates considering a move to our region.
We are also thrilled that the Caithness Business Fund is playing a vital role in nurturing young talent in the North Highlands through both the FutureSkills and Caithness Business Fund Apprenticeship Grant Schemes. Throughout the 2023/24 year, the Caithness Business Fund provided support for thirteen businesses with grants towards the employment of an apprentice within their team, with three of these awarded through the new FutureSkills initiative, launched in February 2024 with thanks to a significant investment boost from NRS Dounreay, the NDA and West of Orkney Windfarm. It’s fantastic to see the impact of this investment on our local community as these young people take their first steps into the world of work.
Caithness Chamber is a testament to the dedication and collective efforts of our members, staff, and supporters. We remain committed to fostering a dynamic and resilient business environment. By continuing to support one another and advocating for the unique strengths of our region, we can ensure the North Highlands thrives for generations to come.
Overall, it has been a rewarding year and once again it has been a great privilege to work with our members, who consistently demonstrate the value of community and proven that in both life and business, we are stronger together.
One of Navertech Ltd‘s long-standing clients approached them to replace its CCTV system. It was recently completed with 22 cameras installed in a challenging environment, and with the unpredictable summer weather creating its own challenges. The marine environment is harsh on common metals used in CCTV hardware, as was apparent from the former CCTV system which was corroded and beyond repair.
Galvanic corrosion is a well-known problem in the marine environment which had to be mitigated to ensure a long-lasting installation, along with ease of maintenance. Navertech Ltd researched and recommended an NDAA certified CCTV system, owing to the fact the client’s facilities are classed as critical infrastructure, giving the client extra peace of mind that their CCTV installation would be safe from external cyber threats from embedded chips.
The former CCTV system had been expanded over the years with multiple standalone installations and hardware, so aside from offering a comprehensive level of coverage, it was imperative that the system was fully integrated to avoid multiple systems being in use for different areas of the operation.
Ease of maintenance was an important consideration with most cameras required at height which could not be serviced without specialist access equipment. With cameras covering an area of approx. 3 square kilometres, communication between the cameras and the central operations room meant that to counteract high levels of radio interference from vessels, a combination of long-distance high-speed fibre and specialist wireless links were required to ensure the cameras provided a stable, controllable and high-definition view.
The design of the CCTV system was completed in-house in consultation with the client operations team, with further technical advice and support provided by one of Navertech’s specialist vendors, Norbain, and with all electrical work carried out by local firm G Anderson Electrical.
The client commented: “We are pleased that local companies have been involved and their continued involvement in maintenance is a key factor going forward for us. The NDAA compliant system has been received well by our peers in the industry security forum that I attend.”
William McGillivray, Navertech’s Commercial Director said: “We’re generally not known as a CCTV installer, but we have been installing IP cameras for years. Working with Graeme’s team at G Anderson Electrical on the cabling on this sizeable job worked out well.”
Stromar project director Nicholas Ritchie
Stromar, one of Scotland’s flagship floating offshore wind developments, is inviting communities to the first phase of its statutory consultation events for the project.
The events, which will be supported by a virtual exhibition, are to be held next month (November) across Aberdeenshire and the north of Scotland including Cuminestown, Fraserburgh, New Deer, Rosehearty, Strichen and Wick.
Stromar is a proposed development off Caithness, around 80km north of Fraserburgh, with plans to export the clean energy into
the National Grid at Greens, which is located between Cuminestown and New Deer.
Stromar could consist of up to 100 offshore wind turbines and has the potential to generate up to 1.5GW of green energy – enough to power the equivalent electricity for almost 1.5million homes¹.
The project is led by a consortium of three companies at the global forefront of floating offshore wind – Ørsted, BlueFloat Energy, and Nadara.
Project director, Nicholas Ritchie, said: “The consultation events are a crucial part of the statutory planning process and give communities the opportunity to find out more about how Stromar is progressing and provide feedback on the latest developments for the project.
“Since holding information days about the project in March, we have refined our plans considerably. We look forward to sharing these updates at the consultation events, including how feedback has helped shape our plans so far, as well as receiving further valuable feedback which will continue to be considered in the project’s design and development.”
The consultation for Stromar includes in-person events which will be held on the following dates while a virtual exhibition will run from November 11 to December 23, 2024, via Stromar’s website at www.stromarwind.co.uk
- Tuesday, November 12
Cuminestown Community Hall, Main St, Cuminestown AB53 5YJ │ 2pm – 6pm
- Wednesday, November 13
New Deer Public Hall, Church Crescent, New Deer AB53 6WE │ 3pm – 8pm
- Thursday, November 14
Ritchie Hall, 30 Sleigh Crescent, Strichen AB43 6TY │ 3pm – 8pm
- Monday, November 18
Rosehearty Hall, 25 Fordyce Street, Rosehearty, Fraserburgh AB43 7NS │ 3pm – 8pm
- Tuesday, November 19
North East Scotland College, Fraserburgh Campus (front entrance), off Henderson Road, Fraserburgh AB43 9GA │ 3pm – 8pm
- Thursday, November 21
Mackays Hotel, Union St, Wick KW1 5ED │ 3pm – 8pm
Stromar was awarded rights by Crown Estate Scotland under the ScotWind leasing round which could see a total of up to 28.6GW of offshore wind capacity deployed in Scottish waters, significantly contributing towards Scotland’s Net Zero targets.
More information about Stromar, including the consultation events, is available on Stromar’s website: www.stromarwind.co.uk