The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) purchased the redundant Police Station in Dornoch in 2020 and following a complete refurbishment opened as a business and community hub in May 2021. Since then, 18 businesses have rented office space in the Dornoch Hub.
They currently have one office, and one office & workshop (or shop and store) vacant. They also have various rooms & space for hire. Details can be found here and for further information or to arrange a viewing please contact the Hub Manager Paula White by phone on 07471 200 496 or email manager@dornochhub.co.uk.
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive, Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Award recognition for the achievements of our enterprising business community.
With our venue confirmed and entertainment in place, plans for the Chamber’s Annual Dinner are in full swing. A highlight event in our calendar brings with it our much-coveted Young Entrepreneur and Young Business of the Year Awards, which once again are now open for entries.
Here at the Chamber, entrepreneurship has been at the forefront of our minds in recent weeks. For the last ten years, I have supported the Young Enterprise programme which challenges and empowers secondary school pupils through real-life learning, to set up and manage their own company. This year we were delighted to support Thurso High School Young Enterprise Team “Social-Eyes” whose creativity and innovation secured them a spot in the UK Finals. It was admirable to see their ambition and fearless approach to business. The determination of this young team secured stockists for their game right along the North Coast 500. Though their journey through the Young Enterprise programme culminated in the UK Finals, they will be continuing with their business. They will also always hold with them the accolade and honour of representing the best of Scotland at a national level and the confidence to know entrepreneurship is possible for everyone. To have the vision, skills and resolve to turn your ideas into a product or business is something very special indeed.
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Thurso School High Young Enterprise Team 2023 Social Eyes with their awards at the Young Enterprise Scottish Finals
Caithness Chamber’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate exactly this and give recognition to the achievements of our thriving enterprising business community.
It has been a great pleasure of mine to follow the journeys of many of our former award winners and witness their businesses flourish and evolve over the years to follow.
Our 2022 winners Puldagon Farm Shop are going from strength to strength with the development of their stunning destination venue, restaurant, and farm shop, whilst North Point Distillery have awards in bountiful supply and were recently recognised as both the Best Craft Producer of 2023 and the Most Sustainable Distillery of 2023 in the Icons of Rum Awards.
The Young Business Award is open to enterprises which have been operating in Caithness or North Sutherland for no more than five years, and The Young Entrepreneur Award is open to those aged between 18 and 30 who live in Caithness or North Sutherland.
The prestige and accolade which come with winning are invaluable and the prizes awarded to the winners are meaningful. Entries for the awards are open until 5 pm on August 11. Application forms and entry criteria can be found on the news page of our website, caithnesschamber.com.
Of course, within the current climate, it’s tougher than ever to establish and run a business, but sometimes the toughest challenges can bring the greatest rewards. Caithness Chamber of Commerce is here to support businesses at every stage of their journey. We offer support and expert advice, access to funding, network building, and promotion and we will be your biggest cheerleader.
Find out more and apply for the Caithness Chamber Young Business and Young Enterprise Awards online here.
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Young Business and Young Entrepeneur Awards
Laura O’Kane, Operations and Communications Manager, Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
Caithness Bakeries have the recipe for success!
From shortbread to yum-yums and the perfect softie roll – Caithness has a long-standing love affair with bakeries, and with two national award winners here in our county, who could blame us?
With the excitement and anticipation of our own annual Chamber entrepreneurship awards on our minds, I took the opportunity to speak with two of our Chamber business members who have recently achieved well-earned success at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards.
In the middle of an extra busy dispatch of Christmas export orders, I was lucky to catch up on a conversation with third-time awarded Scottish Wholesale Baker of the Year Winners, Gary and Tracy Reid of Reids Bakery, internationally renowned for their delicious all-butter shortbread and crumbly oat biscuits and loved locally for their cakes, pastries, cream buns and bread.
Against big competition, winning Wholesale Baker of the Year, alongside their numerous bakery product awards is a huge accolade and credit to their business. Significantly, this award demonstrates not only an exemplary product, but is also praise for their business operation, level of customer service, ambition, and professionalism. Indeed, the judging process is in-depth, requiring a great deal of commitment. It considers many aspects of a business, involving interviews and product tastings by leading and highly regarded industry experts, so winning is no small feat.
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Some of the Reids team at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2023
Gary and Tracey explained the positive impact the awards had had on their team, and keen to show the accolades are a celebration of the whole business, colleagues are invited along to the event to take part in and collect the awards. The team at Reid’s are rightly very proud of their achievements.
With their premium bakery products successfully exported across the world, Reid’s are certainly putting Caithness on the map, but locally, the business has received great support following the awards too. In fact, their Gold Award-winning Jammy Hearts, sold over 500 packets one week alone in just one of their local independent retailers.
Across the county, experiencing the cheery sunshine yellow décor, relaxed atmosphere and signature “too adorable to eat”, prize-winning Highland Coo fondants – it’s not hard to see why Annie’s Bakery, was awarded “Best Bakery Café in Scotland” in the Customer Choice category.
Since opening her family-run café with views over Gills, Annie’s Bakery has become a destination venue for both locals and visitors to Caithness, even enticing NC500 tourists to deviate on their way to John O’Groats. Baker Annie Body described the excitement the Customer Choice award had brought to her whole team, particularly the younger members of staff (most of whom are still in school), all were keen to encourage votes from customers and in return, her customers were delighted to get behind the café and eager to help secure a win. Bringing the trophy home, was the icing on the cake, but the relationships and interactions with customers and seeing their personal investment in her business was the real prize.
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Annie Body of Annie’s Bakery with her adorable fondant cup characters.
Although very grateful for the support of the retailers which she supplied at the beginning of her business, making the brave decision to pivot away from wholesale has allowed Annie to adapt her recipes towards more boutique “special treat” items. Despite numerous requests, Annie keeps her cakes and bakes exclusively for sale in her own café so the experience is unique.
Of course, somewhat removed from the glittering ceremonies and press-worthy photos is the dedication, grit and determination to bring a successful product or service to market. The long hours, teamwork and sleepless nights which go into turning a business dream into reality are indeed remarkable in themselves. Awards are not the only marker of success, but certainly, they are signifiers of excellence and indeed reason to celebrate.
Our flourishing food and drinks industry in the North Highlands is certainly something we can all be very proud of. Huge congratulations to both Reid’s and Annie’s on their well-deserved successes, we look forward to seeing what’s in store for the future!
After more than three years of preparatory work, a voluntary committee has been successful in its application to the Scottish Government to have the Caithness and Sutherland section of the Far North Line (FNL) designated as the 9th Community Rail Partnership (CRP) route in Scotland. The announcement was made by the Scottish Transport Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, at an event to celebrate community rail across Scotland held in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday the 24th of May.
This designation should bring real benefits to the local communities along the line and also create opportunities to promote the line, its communities, and the attractions that it connects. CRP status provides an opportunity for greater community involvement in planning, development and operation of the line. The main aims will be to increase passenger footfall in local communities, promote social inclusion, increase the use of sustainable travel, and bring about improvements to the stations and services of the line, hopefully growing passenger numbers.
The FNL CRP will help communities to develop and deliver community projects, events, and activities that will encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy our amazing villages and settlements, creating economic opportunities as well as moving people away from the tourism hot spots and the speed of the NC500. This will be done by recruiting and coordinating a group of active volunteers in each community which in turn will offer opportunities for our local businesses which are essential to the sustainability of our fragile communities and crucial in our aims to reverse depopulation and create younger, more dynamic communities in the future.
The added benefit, and another crucial aim, is that through promoting sustainable travel by developing low carbon transport initiatives (including promoting cycling and walking opportunities that start and finish in our local communities) as well as encouraging people to use the train, we will help our climate challenge aims and reduce emissions, helping to move towards the goal of Net Zero.
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Michael Willmot (left) and David Watson flank transport minister Kevin Stewart.
Scottish Minister of Transport, Kevin Stewart MSP said “Community Rail Partnerships are the embodiment of very passionate and dedicated people who volunteer on our railways. The work they do improves stations and lines across the country, bringing together communities, and giving greater local buy in to Scotland’s Railway. That is why I am delighted to approve and welcome the new Far North Line Community Rail Partnership.”
David Watson, Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust Manager and FNL CRP Chair, explains: “The Far North Line is a world class but underperforming asset. The journey itself is an amazing experience with an incredible variety of natural and cultural assets along its length. Although it is restricted by its engineering it presents an amazing opportunity to help sustain the communities that it serves. The CRP will form a link between the railway and local communities, bringing together a range of stakeholders, including local businesses and services, along the rail corridor to develop and promote the line, the local communities, and its attractions.”
It is also hoped that the Partnership can boost tourism and make the rail service more responsive to local needs. There is renewed interest in sustainable transport not just between train and bus but through use of other transport resources such as e-bikes, and community transport schemes. Michael Willmot, Director of Helmsdale Station CIC and CRP secretary says: “recognising there has been growing concern about the number of cars and motorhomes that have been attracted by the success of the North Coast 500 promotion, this CRP should help to develop alternatives to private vehicles for exploring the North Highlands Region as well as providing improved public transport for local communities. There are amazing opportunities for visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in the unique culture of Caithness and Sutherland.”
In delivering its ambitions, the Far North Line CRP will work in partnership with ScotRail, the local rail user group – the Friends of the Far North Line, and representatives of communities and tourism organisations along the route. David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “I wholeheartedly welcome the establishment of the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership. “We look forward to the journey ahead and the positive impact that the CRP will undoubtedly bring in enhancing the route’s potential as a vital lifeline and catalyst for economic growth throughout Caithness and Sutherland.”
The current members of the management group include a number of experienced community development professionals with a track record of raising external funding and delivering successful community projects. The group also has representation from Venture North (the Destination Management Group for Caithness & Sutherland) and the North Highland Climate Hub, to ensure that we are truly promoting sustainable tourism development with environmentally responsible projects to help the future of the communities of Caithness and Sutherland for years to come.
If you are interested in receiving further information or in joining the CRP Management Group, please contact Michael Willmot at helmsdalestation@gmail.com
Highland based Norscot Joinery, renowned manufacturer of windows, doors and timber frame house kits, has been acquired by 1st FSD Group. Although the business may have changed hands, there will be no organisational changes, with day to day operations continuing to be provided by the existing management team.
Founded by the Body family in 1984, Norscot operates out of its manufacturing base in Bower, Caithness and a sales office on the Carse Industrial Estate in Inverness. Its customer focus is in the Highlands but it has supplied products throughout the UK and as far afield as Eire, France and Spain.
1st FSD Group CEO Tom Wang said, “We are very pleased to have acquired such a successful company. Norscot will continue to contribute to the local economy and serve the community. We see plenty of opportunities for growth in the future, and are confident that the current management team will be able to implement our future plan.”
In response, Norscot former chairman and co-founder Peter Body said, “The 1st FSD Group team bring a wealth of experience in both property and home improvement related sectors, which I’m sure will benefit the company and our customers. I wish them every success.”
Norscot manufactures the widest range of windows available from a single source. Materials include uPVC, timber and aluminium clad timber. In styles which include casement, top-swing and tilt-n-turn. With entrance and patio doors to suit. Customers include local authorities, housing associations, the trade and homeowners.
Timber frame house kit manufacture is aimed primarily at the self-build market with ‘hand-holding’ by the company’s in-house design team to ensure customers achieve their dream home. Norscot has recently introduced it’s ‘WellBe’ concept of future-proofed, forever, ‘smart’ homes which are easy to maintain, accessible and adaptable, with low running costs.
Further information is available on the company’s website at norscot.co.uk.
Offshore Wind Power Limited plans to submit consent applications to construct offshore wind turbines and associated onshore transmission infrastructure for the West of Orkney Windfarm. The proposed windfarm will have the potential to generate around 2GW of renewable energy and is located around 30km west of Orkney and 25km from the north coast of Scotland. The onshore infrastructure will include up to 33km of buried cables and a new substation at or near Spittal.
The key components of the Project are:
OFFSHORE
• Up to 125 wind turbine generators with fixed turbine foundations
• Up to five offshore substations linked to the wind turbines via inter-array cables
• Up to five export cables to Caithness
ONSHORE
• New substation at or near the existing Spittal substation
• Up to five underground cables from the landfall point to the substation
To find out more about the West of Orkney Windfarm, please visit the virtual exhibition: https://www.westoforkney.com/virtualexhibition
The development team are keen to receive feedback which will be used to inform the development of the ONSHORE infrastructure of the West of Orkney Windfarm. This short questionnaire is one of the ways in which you will be able to express your opinion about the project. We would also welcome your feedback on our consultation. Please find the Survey Link
Pre-Application Consultation Events
The West Of Orkney Windfarm Pre-Application Consultation Events are taking place in June 2023 to discuss the onshore infrastructure related to the Project, including the associated substation and onshore cable route. Please see the dates below:
Tuesday 20th June 2023
Location: The Pentland Hotel, Thurso
Time: 3.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 21st June 2023
Location: Ross Institute, Halkirk
Time: 3.30pm – 7.30pm
Taste North returns on Sunday, 5th November 2023
The festival, supported by Venture North, is returning to Wick High School, East Caithness Community Campus for a day filled with premier food and drink exhibitors, and chef demonstrations. At the 2022 Taste North, over 1400 visitors enjoyed meeting the makers, which of course includes sampling the amazing local produce of Caithness, Sutherland and other regions of Scotland.
If you are interested in attending as a business exhibitor, please email tastenorth@btinternet.com for further information.
DASA has launched Space to Innovate – Charlie Drop which seeks innovations that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space science and technologies.
- DASA has launched the Charlie Drop of the Space to Innovate Campaign
- Up to £1.5 million in funding available for innovative technologies that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space science and technologies
- The Space to Innovate Campaign – Charlie Drop is the third ‘challenge drop’ as part of the Space to Innovate Campaign
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Space Programme are pleased to launch the Charlie Drop of the Space to Innovate Campaign. The Charlie Drop seeks proposals that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space science and technologies.
Charlie Drop follows on from the Alpha and Bravo Drops, and offers a broader range of challenge areas to explore novel solutions.
What innovations is DASA looking for?
- novel ways to achieve fine resolution collection for intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR)
- technologies and techniques to alert, protect and defend satellites
- satellite and ground segment technologies for future Defence operations
Further Details Online Here
Construction Begins at Sutherland, the UK Mainland’s First Vertical Launch Spaceport & £14.6 Million Public Investment Package Confirmed for Carbon-Neutral Spaceport Project
Orbex has announced that construction has begun at Sutherland Spaceport (formerly known as Space Hub Sutherland) in Scotland, making this the first vertical launch spaceport to be built on the UK mainland. Located on the North coast of Scotland, the spaceport will be the ‘home’ spaceport of Forres-based rocket and launch services company, Orbex, which will use the site to launch up to 12 orbital rockets per year for the deployment of satellites into Earth’s orbit.
The groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction was attended by a number of officials and stakeholders including Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade for the Scottish Government, Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Dorothy Pritchard, Chair of Melness Crofters Estate as well as many local representatives that have supported the development of the spaceport over the years. Sutherland Spaceport is intended to become the first carbon-neutral spaceport in the world, both in its construction and its operation. One illustration of this is how peat lifted during the construction will be re-used to repair large areas of peatland that have degraded over centuries.
The establishment of a commercial spaceport in Sutherland is expected to support around 250 new employment opportunities in the Highlands and Islands over the coming years, including 40 jobs in Sutherland and Caithness. Economic impact assessments commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) conclude that the presence of the spaceport has the potential to generate almost £1 billion in gross value added (GVA) for the Highlands and Islands economy over the next 30 years.
It was also confirmed today that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will contribute £3m to support the development of Sutherland Spaceport, completing a public investment package that also includes just over £9m from HIE and the Scottish Government and £2.55m that the UK Space Agency announced in 2018. The NDA chose to support Sutherland Spaceport following the decommissioning of the nearby Dounreay nuclear power station, as part of its remit to retire the UK’s oldest nuclear sites while supporting affected communities and the environment.
Orbex recently signed a 50-year sub-lease with HIE, enabling Orbex to direct the construction and assume full operational management of the new facility on the community-owned Melness Crofters Estate. Orbex’s role in the spaceport is expected to stimulate significant private investment that will benefit the local community through job creation, supply chain opportunities and other associated economic benefits.
Jacobs, the international professional and technical services company, has been contracted for the construction of the site as well as spaceport operations support, operations consultancy and engineering services, drawing on its experience of managing and operating complex, highly regulated nuclear and space-related sites. Jacobs has supported US space agency NASA across multiple high-profile Space Centers and spaceflight programs, including management of operations at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Closer to home, Jacobs has also managed significant aspects of the Dounreay nuclear site on the North Coast of Scotland.
In addition to the short-term contracts for local businesses and contractors that will result from construction, Orbex will be recruiting for skilled local jobs to support the operation of the spaceport. The types of roles will span several areas including facilities and operational management, security, general administration and finance, stakeholder engagement and launch campaign-related roles. Employment opportunities will be advertised locally when recruitment commences.
In May 2022, Orbex revealed its innovative Prime rocket in its final form, the first time a full orbital micro-launcher has been unveiled in Europe. Prime is a 19-metre long, two-stage rocket designed to transport small satellites weighing up to 180kg into Low Earth Orbit. The six rocket engines on the first stage of the rocket will propel the vehicle through the atmosphere to an altitude of around 80km. The single engine on the second stage of the rocket will complete the journey to LEO, allowing the release of its payload of small commercial satellites into Earth’s orbit.
Orbex has received widespread interest from commercial satellite manufacturers and has already signed launch contracts with seven customers. The company also recently concluded its Series C funding round, netting the company an additional £40.4 million. Despite a challenging landscape for raising capital, Orbex attracted new investors and brought along many of its existing investors into the new round of funding. The additional funding allows the company to maintain its long-term focus beyond the first launch.
Uniquely, Orbex Prime is powered by a renewable bio-fuel, Futuria Liquid Gas, supplied by Calor UK. This fuel allows the rocket to reduce carbon emissions significantly compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world. A study by the University of Exeter showed that a single launch of the Orbex Prime rocket will produce 96 per cent lower carbon emissions than comparable space launch systems using fossil fuels. Prime is also a re-usable rocket which has been engineered to leave zero debris on Earth and in orbit.
In preparation for the first launch, Orbex is performing a wide variety of integration tests, as well as testing launch procedures including rollout, strongback deployment and fuelling procedures. To support the integration testing stage, over the last few months, Orbex has ramped up its recruitment efforts for its Forres headquarters, adding dozens of new team members.
Kristian von Bengtson, Chief Development Officer and Interim CEO, Orbex:
“Sutherland represents a new breed of spaceport, for a new breed of rocket. This is 21st century, agile spaceflight with sustainability at its core. With the construction of Sutherland Spaceport underway, this is an important piece of the puzzle that will make the UK a modern space nation. Just as importantly, we’re hopefully also setting the tone for how business can be a force for good, creating jobs and opportunities while minimising the impact upon the environment.”
Comments from Partners:
Highlands and Islands Enterprise:
“The start of construction at Sutherland Spaceport is an important milestone for the local community and the UK space sector. The prospect of launch is exciting in itself but for HIE as a development agency, an even greater prize is the economic benefits that this development will bring to our region. We are very pleased to have developed this important and innovative project through its initial phases and greatly appreciate the contributions made by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and UK Space Agency. This has been a truly collaborative process and we are delighted to be working with Orbex to make Sutherland Spaceport a reality.” – David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects
Jacobs:
“As an investor in Orbex, Jacobs is deeply committed to supporting this key project which is of immense importance to the UK’s fast growing space sector. We are looking forward to fulfilling our role as prime constructor for the spaceport, including design, procurement and management of the local supply chain, as well as providing operations support and engineering services.” – Andy White, Vice President
Melness Crofters’ Estate:
“We’re starting to see the physical representation of a dream that began several years ago. This is our way of regenerating this community and reversing population decline, by giving families a reason to stay or come back to this area. The fact that we’re doing this while safeguarding the environment is something we’re all very proud of. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this project, and I can’t wait to see the first launch.” – Dorothy Pritchard, Chair
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority:
“Supporting this project delivers on our commitment to undertake our decommissioning mission sustainably with care for our communities. This investment will help support the local community to grow and diversify its economy, delivering a positive and long-lasting legacy for future generations.” – David Peattie, CEO
Scottish Government:
“It is an incredibly exciting time for the space sector, with the first orbital launch from UK soil expected to take place in Scotland later this year. Despite our relatively small country, Scotland plays a leading role in the space sector and with the global market projected to grow to £490 billion by 2030, we are well placed to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030.
“The space sector already plays an integral part of our daily lives, allowing us to stay connected, predict weather and monitor the effects of climate change. Sutherland Spaceport and Orbex will play a vital role in providing benefits for our people, our economy and our planet.
“I was delighted to be able to visit Sutherland Spaceport for this important milestone. As I told Parliament last week, the Scottish space sector is opening up new frontiers.” – Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation & Trade
UK Space Agency:
“This marks a major step forward for Sutherland Spaceport and demonstrates the UK’s growing launch capability and the thriving space sector in Scotland.
“The UK Space Agency has invested £8.5 million in Scottish-based launch technologies through the European Space Agency’s Boost! programme, as well as £2.5 million towards the spaceport and £5.5 million for the development of Orbex’s Prime rocket, which has catalysed further investment from private and public partners.
“Not only will Sutherland Spaceport unlock 250 new job opportunities and boost the Highlands and Islands economy, but its carbon-neutral ambition underlines the UK’s position as a world-leader in sustainable space activities.” – Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency
Wick – Aberdeen air services see a successful first year
Almost 9,000 passengers have used reinstated air services between Wick and Aberdeen in a successful first year of operation, accessing a wide range of domestic and international destinations.
The services are delivered under a Public Service Obligation (PSO), with financial support from The Scottish Government and the Highland Council, ensuring that those living and working in the North Highlands have access to affordable, lifeline connectivity between the region and the rest of the world.
Further financial support from Dounreay, a division of Magnox Limited, has enabled the appointment of a dedicated Project Officer for the PSO, to work closely with local businesses and communities to develop and promote the service according to their needs.
Since commencing in April 2022, passengers have used the services to access a range of business, leisure and healthcare opportunities both in Aberdeen and in onward destinations across the globe. In fact, passengers departing from Wick have ended up on every continent on the planet with the exception of Antarctica, making Wick John O’Groats Airport a truly global gateway for the North Highlands.
As the services enter into their second year, a new timetable has been launched for the Summer 2023 season, offering onward connectivity to a huge number of UK and European destinations.
Flights start at just £49.99 one way and can be booked today at easternairways.com