Small business bulletin for Highlands and Islands

Local News 27 Jan 2025

Local small business news from FSB Highlands & Islands. Updates cover Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, Outer Hebrides, Western Isles, Stornoway, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire, Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey, Lochaber, Fort William, Skye, Argyll, Oban. Updated 27 January 2025.

In summary

Our Big Small Business Survey is now live! The Survey allows us to build an ever deeper understanding of all the biggest day to day issues which affect small enterprises like you! Click Find out More to take part and help us help you. Also this month, we’re searching for a new FSB Scotland Policy Chair and there’s an update about Tourism Levy plans across the Highlands and Islands.

Featured news and events

FSB Scotland Chair

We are currently seeking nominations from FSB members in Scotland to become our new, Scotland Chair.  Our Scotland Chair promotes, champions and represents FSB to external stakeholders and audiences, lobbies on issues important to local businesses and supports activity and membership growth within the nation.  To find out more and request a copy of the full role description, please email [email protected]  before Friday 14 February and register your interest.

Moray In-Person Networking, with Business Gateway

FSB are working in partnership with Business Gateway Moray and Threaplands to bring you this free business networking event. Join us in the relaxed environment of the Threaplands Garden Room to meet like-minded small business owners.

We'll have a couple of short presentations about Maximising FSB Membership and the services offered by Business Gateway. Threaplands owner, Ben Laing, will also discuss his business journey so far, and we'll be joined by Jillian Watt, of Jillian Watt Coaching, for a short interactive session on "Coping with Stress for Success".

Book now!


In other news

FSB Scotland launches biggest ever small business survey

Small Businesses across the Highlands and Islands encouraged to have their say in the Big Small Business Survey. The aim of our survey is to gather a comprehensive picture of the concerns and challenges facing the country’s small businesses, which make up the overwhelming majority of enterprises (98%) in Scotland.

The questionnaire covers current trading conditions, ambitions for the future and the barriers to growth or even survival.  The survey is open to all, anonymous and will further assist FSB to represent the views of small businesses and the self-employed.

Take part here.

Visitor Levy plans

As Edinburgh becomes the first area to introduce a Visitor Levy, other local authorities across the Highlands and Islands are now also considering following suit.

The Highland Council launched their formal consultation, running until 31 March- More information and submit a response here.

Argyll and Bute Council  recently launched their consultation with sperate surveys for Business, Residents, and Visitors. Closing on 10 April you can read more here.

Still in the news

FSB Small Business Focus

We’re delighted to work with the Press and Journal in the North, to bring you a Small Business Focus feature every week – and this could be you!

In January, in the Press and Journal we’ve featured a number of FSB members including:

If you’re interested in being a Small Business Focus contributor or taking part in any of media opportunities, please do get in touch.

LinkedIn

Are we connected on LinkedIn?

Jump over to FSB Scotland LinkedIn to stay informed on the latest business news, policy updates, and events affecting Scotland’s business community. It’s an excellent way to access valuable resources, network with like-minded professionals, and gain insights into key issues facing small businesses. By staying connected, members can also help to grow their business network.


More news and activity near you 


Get in touch

If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.