Indian Summer being Filmed in Durness

 A major new film, starring Kevin McKidd and Ashley Jensen is planned to be made in Durness in Spring 2013.  Indian Summer is set in 1967 and describes the impact on a Highland family of a Native American US Marine's arrival in their community.

This is just the latest in a series of films and TV programmes made in the County, capitalising on Sutherland's scenic assets -  and also on the availability of local skills and support.

For further details, contact Trish Shorthouse at the Highland Film Commission: www.scotfilm.org

Business Gateway Workshops in Sutherland

Here's a list of Business Gateway workshops being held in Sutherland over the next few months:

2 Day Business Start-Up	Tues 23rd – Wed 24th October	9.30am – 4pm	Community Learning Centre, Brora
Marketing & Selling	Thursday 13th December	9.30am – 4pm	Community Learning Centre, Brora
Record Keeping	Friday 14th December	9.30am – 4pm	Community Learning Centre, Brora

 
You can download workshop details here (Google Docs PDF Files):
1. Business Start
2. Marketing & Selling/Record Keeping


For more information about Business Gateway courses in other areas, visit our Events Calendar:
To book a place, contact Lesley Allan on 01463 713889 or lesley.allan@highland-opportunity.com

"The Greatest"

© Christina Jansen

Probably one of the most haunting and touching pictures you'll see this year.  The unmistakeable profile of Muhammad Ali at the Olympic Stadium - reflected in a portrait by Lola Nicol.

Lola, who lives in Brora, Sutherland, is a recently-supported PTYBS business and was commissioned to produce a piece to commemorate "The Greatest's" 70th Birthday.  The painting is part of a major exhibition being held at the Smokehouse Gallery in London.

Link to Lola's website: 

Link to PTYBS/PSYBT:

Report: Socio-Economic Impact of Dounreay Decommissioning

For statistics fans, HIE have released a survey of the economy in Caithness & North Sutherland (mainly Caithness) based on the effects of  the Dounreay redevelopment.

"The study - "The Socio-economic Impacts of Dounreay Decommissioning" - was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) from Grangeston Economics as a follow-up to a previous study from 2006. It examined economic data as well as surveying Dounreay workers, contractors and local supply-chain companies...."

Link to HIE Website and Report Download

Sutherland Show 2012

We'll be setting up the Business Gateway stand at the Sutherland Agricultural Show this coming Saturday - 21st July. That's me and Marianne Ross, the Business Gateway Employment Adviser.  If you're at the Show, come and have a chat.

Elphin Music Festival

 This coming Saturday (14th July) sees the Elphin Music Festival being held in and around the Elphin Community Hall.  There's an incredible amount of entertainment  - culminating in a performance by The Naked Strangers and other great acts.

For more info. about the Festival, follow this Link

Armadale Salmon on Film

Armadale Salmon (Link) on Sutherland's North Coast are the subject of a recent documentary film produced by New Moon Films

"Armadale Salmon Fishing is a family firm based in Bettyhill, a small village on the north coast of Scotland. Owner James Mackay has built up the fishery over the past 25 years and the company is now entering its third generation of the family..."

To see a clip from the film, follow this link: Video

SCDI Business Excellence Awards

We've been asked to pass on the details of this year's SCDI Business Excellence Awards being held in Inverness on 14 September 2012:

"...The SCDI Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards provide a unique platform to showcase the achievements of the region's organisations and celebrate excellence in a wide range of sectors. The event is a highlight in the Highland Business calendar attended by over 340 guests drawn from across the business and economic community.

We are delighted to announce that Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Highlands & Islands Annual Dinner & Business Excellence Awards. ....with after dinner entertainment provided by Hugh Dennis, and the evening hosted by the BBC broadcaster Sally Magnusson, the evening promises to be one to remember. 

Entries are currently being sought for the following award categories:

Benromach Award for Excellence in International Business This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate a track-record of outstanding achievement in the global marketplace.  

The Crown Estate One to Watch Award for Excellence in a Marine Business This award will be presented to the small marine business, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate emerging growth potential and innovation. This should be supported by evidence of business performance, environmental care and sustainability and may also include local community involvement.  

Global Energy Award for Excellence in People Development This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate its commitment to developing the skills of its employees. 

Highlands and Islands Enterprise Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate the application of Research and/or Innovation to improve their competitiveness.  

ScotRail Award for Excellence in Business Service & Engagement This award will be presented to the business, in the Highlands and Islands, which has had the greatest impact on other businesses or their sector through innovative service or engagement. 

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability This award will be presented to the business or organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate its commitment and overall approach to improving its environmental performance and resource efficiency.

SCDI Highlands & Islands Chairman's Award for Oustanding Business Achievement This award will be presented to the company, based in the Highlands and Islands, which best demonstrates having made a significant positive contribution to the regional economy...."

All the event details can be found here: Link

Business Gateway - Specialist Teams

In Business Gateway Highland & Moray we've just formed a few specialist teams from within our ranks looking at key sectors to the Highland econonomy.  I'm on the "Creative Industries" and (unsurprisingly, some might say) the "Food & Drink" teams.

The aim is not to substitute for any of our hard-working partner organisations but just to find a way of finding out what's going on in each of these sectors, identify the key players and then passing this information on to our colleagues and clients. Similarly, each team can pass on details of Business Gateway activities to the relevant suppoprt agencies; hopefully avoiding duplication and gaps.

The Creative Industries group had brief meeting yesterday and we were pleased to welcome Gordon Brown of "Brown's Gallery" who gave us some pointers about existing support provision, his own concerns and his work with North Highland Connections.

If anyone out there connected with the Creative Industries (or Food & Drink sector) wants to make any comments about how Business Gateway can help or just wants to keep us posted on any events and activities, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Business Gateway Music - Fiona J MacKenzie

Fiona J MacKenzie has just released her brilliant album "Archipelago" and is touring to promote it.  The tour includes Kenya, New Mexico, the Scottish Parliament  - and Lochinver Village Hall on 21 August 2012.  For more details and a quick listen to the album, visit Fiona's website.

EBG 2012 - Slovakia

So we're safely back from Slovakia after a fantastic European Business Game centred in Čadca; enjoying the hospitality of the local school, its staff and students.

Out Team:  Gabby, Freya, Gemma, Kari and Elise at the Final...

This year's EBG featured teams from Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Faroe Islands, France, England, Slovakia and, of course, Scotland.  The Overall winner was the Faroese Team " Grasstastic" but the Fortrose company "ScanIn Life" was a  very worthy runner-up.
 
A programme of visits and activities included a tour of the amazing KIA Slovakia site (for a taste of what we saw follow this link) and places of cultural significance including Strečno Castle (below)

The Team at The Castle

The completely incorruptible judges..

Thanks to our hosts for making this event so memorable...

For more information about EBG in Scotland, contact Kenny MacInnes, our National Project Coordinator.

HIE Food & Drink Strategy Forum - 21 June 2012

HIE has organised a Food & Drink Strategy Forum to be held at Cowan House, Inverness on 21 June 2012.

"Organised as part of the Smart Exporter programme, this free to attend forum is designed to highlight the importance of developing an international strategy and raise awareness of the support available to companies, giving them the best chance of achieving their international ambitions. 

Benefits to companies attending this forum: 

• Understanding the importance of preparation and planning before embarking on international growth 
• Sharing experiences, concerns, challenges and opportunities with like-minded business leaders from the food and drink sector 
• Learning about the support available through Smart Exporter...."

For more information: Link

Business Gateway Music - Dead Man's Waltz

Here's a catchy little number from Dead Man's Waltz. The video features a Heinkel 111  - which is probably a first.

Emmeline - The Dead Man's Waltz from William Johnstone on Vimeo.

For more info, visit the DMW website: Link

European Information Clinic, Golspie, 27 June 2012

Are there European opportunities for your business? Let us help you find out! 

European Information Clinic- 27th June 2012 

The Links, Golspie Business Park, GOLSPIE, KW10 6UB 

The Enterprise Europe Network is a local support service enabling highland businesses to network on a European level. We operate in over 51 countries, with 600 partners and around 4000 colleagues. This enables us to access European suppliers, customers, contacts & information in Europe from a local perspective. Support includes: 

European business information 

 • Is there a market for your product in a particular country or region? 

• Who are your competitors? 

 • What legislation applies? 

Help to find commercial partners - agents, distributors and suppliers 

Information on public sector contracts - where to find contracts, guidance on bidding for contracts 

Signposting to sources of funding 

– providing information on European funding & other sources of funding 

Innovation and technology 

- If you need know-how or equipment to take an idea, product or process to the next stage, improve efficiency or reduce environmental impact, we can help you seek a solution in Europe, or someone willing to help you develop one. 

How do I register? 

1. Register your details in the event section of our website - www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com 

2. Email us a little bit about your business: enterprise.europe@highland-opportunity.com 

3. We will contact you to offer a suitable time slot!

Job Vacancies with Business Gateway (Part 2)

Business Gateway Regional Development Officer (Moray) 

Permanent position Location - Elgin 

"We are seeking an experienced business adviser to join the team in our successful Moray Business Gateway office in Elgin. The successful candidate will work with business start-up clients and existing businesses to help them develop their potential,. 

Applicants should have proven experience in a business advice role, knowledge of the local economy and business sectors. A good understanding of the pressures facing business and the success factors for growth is essential. A business advice qualification and experience in delivering training is an advantage. Strong interpersonal skills are vital.."

For more information, follow this link