A recent Chamber-led trip to Canada proves that taking your business global is well within reach for Scottish SMEs, no matter what sector or area you’re from.
In March, the West Highland Chamber of Commerce took a group of Scottish businesses across the Atlantic to explore export opportunities in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
This was the third in-person trade mission to North America organised and led by Eilidh MacDonald, West Highland Chamber’s International Trade Manager.
Exporting isn’t just for big business
The success of the trip demonstrated exactly what Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s international trade programme was set up to do. You don’t need to be a massive corporation, work in certain sectors, or be based in any particular part of Scotland to start exporting. The world is open for business to SMEs who want to explore their opportunities.
Frazer Coupland, CEO of West Highland Chamber of Commerce, headed up the delegation, which featured a fantastic mix of Scottish SMEs. This included the West Highlands-based Sonas Collection, Raven Botanicals Limited, and Oir Soap, alongside a strong showing from the drinks sector with Speyside Distillery, The Gael Spirits Co Ltd, and Titan Spirits.
“Last year’s mission led directly to one of our companies signing a valuable export contract. It proves you don’t have to be a big business to trade internationally. There is huge potential for smaller businesses in Nova Scotia as it is a market that loves all things Scottish.”
Dipping your toes in international waters
As any business owner knows, taking that first step into an overseas market can feel like a massive leap. That’s where a Chamber trade mission comes in. It offers a practical way to test the waters of international trade without having to navigate it all alone.
By providing a structured itinerary, trusted introductions, and on-the-ground support, the Chamber sorts out the nitty-gritty of logistics and making sure delegates get all the information they need. That means business owners can focus entirely on what matters: building relationships.
For International Trade Manager Eilidh, the true value of the trip always comes down to the people:
“You can do all the research and organising, but the real reward is watching delegates make connections that they might never have found on their own. Going as part of a trade mission opens so many doors, and just stepping back to soak up that energy and see it pay off for them is brilliant.”
Fast-tracking market fit
What really stood out to delegates was the focused itinerary, which packed in targeted networking events, local market briefings, and one-to-one meetings with trusted Canadian contacts.
For Jolene Roberts of Oir Soap Ltd, this co-ordinated approach provided a real confidence boost:
“The time and effort that goes into organising networking events, inviting all the right people, and setting up one-to-one meetings is massive, and hugely appreciated. Going on trips like this allows you to see if there is a market for your business in a very quick way, and for us, Canada seems like it would be a great option.”
Setting a benchmark for collaboration
Andrew Ferguson of Speyside Distillery highlighted the strategic importance of the Chamber’s groundwork:
“West Highland Chamber of Commerce delivered an exemplary international trade mission to Nova Scotia, providing impeccable structure, high-value introductions, and exceptional hospitality throughout. Their leadership enabled focused, constructive engagement between Scottish businesses and Nova Scotian government and industry partners, creating genuine momentum for future trade and collaboration. This delegation set a benchmark for how regional partnerships can strengthen economic ties and foster long-term, meaningful international relationships.”
More opportunities on the horizon
West Highland Chamber of Commerce is planning a follow-up trade mission to Halifax and Cape Breton, Canada later this year. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, get in touch trademission@westhighlandchamber.co.uk.
