Inverness and the Highlands have taken centre stage in Scotland’s efforts to attract investment, with government representatives, business leaders and investors gathering in the Highland capital to see how ambitious plans are becoming major developments on the ground.
The Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investment Conference, held in Inverness last week, brought together representatives from the Scottish and UK Governments, enterprise agencies, industry and the investment community to explore opportunities for economic growth across Scotland.
For the Highlands, it was an opportunity to demonstrate that the region’s future is being shaped by significant investment in renewable energy, housing, innovation, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Delegates visited Inverness Campus, Tornagrain and Ardersier, three locations representing different aspects of the region’s changing economic landscape.
At Inverness Campus, the focus was on the opportunities created by education, research, innovation and collaboration between organisations.
Tornagrain offered an insight into the development of a growing Highland community and the importance of housing in supporting population growth and economic opportunity.
Ardersier highlighted the potential of major industrial investment and the wider opportunities associated with the energy transition and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
Together, the visits demonstrated the breadth of development taking place across the region, from creating homes and strengthening communities to preparing industrial sites for future economic activity.
The conference also examined how Scotland’s cities and regions can work together to attract investors, improve infrastructure and develop projects capable of supporting sustainable growth.
Highland Council Leader Raymond Bremner, who also chairs the Scottish Cities Alliance, welcomed delegates and praised the contribution of those involved.
He said:
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in this year’s Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investment Conference, especially our speakers and panellists.
“The event demonstrated the strength of Scotland’s collective investment proposition and the value of collaboration between our cities, regions and partner organisations.
“It also provided an important opportunity to showcase the scale of opportunity emerging across Inverness and the Highlands.
“The Highlands is entering a period of remarkable opportunity.
“We are seeing long-term ambition being translated into real projects, real investment and real economic activity across a range of sectors.
“From renewable energy and advanced manufacturing to life sciences, innovation, tourism, food and drink, and the wider opportunities linked to the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, the momentum we are seeing is real.
“What makes the Highland opportunity particularly compelling is the breadth of investment taking place.
“Major developments at Inverness Campus, Tornagrain and Ardersier, alongside investment in infrastructure, housing and skills, are helping create a diverse and resilient growth story that is attracting interest from across the UK and internationally.”
The gathering also provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of skills, housing and transport connections in ensuring that major investment can deliver benefits for communities.
Securing financial commitments is only one part of economic development, with the availability of workers, suitable homes and dependable infrastructure equally important in turning projects into lasting employment and prosperity.
Bremner emphasised that collaboration between Scotland’s cities and regions could strengthen their collective appeal to investors.
He added:
“One of the strongest messages emerging from the conference was that growth in one part of Scotland can create benefits across the whole country.
“By working together to promote opportunities, share experience and align investment priorities, Scotland’s cities and regions can present an even stronger proposition to investors, unlock further investment and create sustainable economic growth for communities across Scotland.
“I hope delegates left Inverness with a greater understanding of the opportunities available in the Highlands, stronger relationships with potential partners and confidence in the future.
“The Highlands is not simply talking about opportunity.
“Increasingly, we are seeing it take shape on the ground, and the future is an exciting one.”
Organisers reported positive feedback from delegates, particularly about the opportunity to visit developments and meet those involved in shaping the region’s economy.
The Scottish Cities Alliance brings together Scotland’s eight cities and the Scottish Government, with the shared aim of attracting investment and supporting sustainable growth.
For Inverness and the wider Highlands, the conference provided a national platform to demonstrate the scale of the opportunities emerging across the region.
The next challenge will be ensuring that investment translates into lasting jobs, stronger communities and economic benefits that reach beyond the major development sites themselves.
