It is a priority of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to be in our communities listening, learning and connecting with business across Scotland. It is always about people. Our Cahmber teams are committed to working closely with the local leaders to understand what drives their ambitions and success.
This is why our CEO, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, has been out meeting the local chamber teams to hear directly from the Chamber members to learn how we can collectively support them and their business goals.
SCC spent an inspirational few days in the Highlands with West Highland Chamber of Commerce where we met with an abundance of energising and inspiring businesses. A highlight was visiting the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS), a world leader in ocean research.
From subsea robotics and seaweed farming to supporting aquaculture with cutting-edge modelling tools, SAMS is turning science into commercial solutions that matter for marine industries across Scotland and beyond. Their mission is clear: help businesses innovate and protect the ocean.
A few exceptional facts:
- In a world first – they’ve appointed “The Ocean” to their Board of Trustees (now that is worth exploring further!)
- SAMS hosts the UK’s ‘algae and protozoa library’ with 3,000+ strains for global research and industry use
- Their robotics academy is training the next generation of low-carbon marine innovators
- Their developed aquaculture software is now used worldwide, including by SEPA and Chile, and many other countries;
After an in-depth tour of the facilities, we held a dynamic roundtable with business leaders exploring aquaculture and the vast potential of the blue economy.
The day concluded with high-level discussions over a delicious, locally sourced dinner alongside the West Highland Chamber board and key partners.
During her time in the West Highlands, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, hosted a dynamic business session in the stunning surroundings of the Skeabost House Hotel, alongside West Highland Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, Frazer Coupland.
A vibrant cross-section of founders and leaders came together from across Skye representing sectors from construction, hospitality, equipment hire/storage, importers and exporters of wine and energy.
This session marked a major step forward in strengthening the voice of Skye’s business community, a long-standing ambition of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network. That vision is now a reality with the formation of the West Highland Chamber of Commerce, an expansion driven by Lochaber Chamber’s inclusive approach, officially welcoming Skye into the national Chamber Network. The energy in the room was collaborative and full of forward-thinking solutions. Skye’s voice is now part of a powerful national conversation and this is only the start of the journey. Let’s keep building it together.
As we continue our journey across the West Highlands, SCC had the pleasure of visiting Kishorn Port & Dry Dock, a remarkable facility playing a key role in Scotland’s energy transition.
Home to one of Europe’s largest dry docks, Kishorn Port Ltd is a hub of industrial capability, supporting sectors such as decommissioning, oil & gas, floating offshore wind, and marine renewables. With its onsite quarry and concrete batching plant, the port is uniquely positioned to support the manufacture and assembly of floating offshore wind structures, an essential component of our future energy mix.
Exciting developments are now underway, with construction beginning on a transformative £42.2 million expansion project. This major investment will significantly increase the size of the dry dock and reclaim land to support the manufacture of concrete floating offshore wind foundations. The expansion is already attracting strong interest from across the marine and energy sectors, and is forecast to support up to 1,500 jobs in the long term. It’s clear that Kishorn is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.
On the final day of our tour across the West Highlands, SCC meet with NewCo Engineering, a standout example of industrial excellence rooted in the region. Specialising in all types of welding, fabrications, and mechanical engineering, they are a true testament to the world-class manufacturing thriving in this part of Scotland.
They are a perfect example of Scottish enterprise and innovation. We left the site visit most inspired by their commitment to excellence and their impressive capabilities, from bespoke fabrication and CNC machining. As a major steel stockist with a purpose-built facility and skilled team, NewCo is not only meeting demand but actively expanding to increase productivity and efficiency. Their recent investment in infrastructure and apprenticeships shows a clear dedication to both growth and community.
Rounding off an energising and memorable few days in the West Highlands, SCC had the opportunity to meet the fantastic members of the West Highland Chamber of Commerce over lunch in Fort William.
It was a privilege to engage directly with local businesses, listening to their challenges, learning about their ambitions, and seeing first-hand the passion that drives them. Their drive and determination reaffirmed that every region of Scotland is ready to lead, innovate,
