News

Changing Perceptions: Focus North Conference 2026

The North Highlands is changing – and so is the story we have to tell about it. With major investment ahead, world-class expertise already here and new opportunities emerging across the region, this year’s Focus North Conference is about seeing our future through a...

No Wrong Path

This is a tense week for young people across Scotland, as they receive their exam results. Here at Focus North, we support DYW's No Wrong Path campaign, which runs every August. There is no single 'correct' route to the future, and a winding path can be an exciting...

PSO renewal is a welcome boost to North Highland connectivity

Caithness has secured renewed funding for PSO flights from Wick John O'Groats Airport, maintaining links with Aberdeen and adding a new service to Glasgow.In our recent blog on regional infrastructure, we highlighted the importance of the transport, energy and digital...

Beyond the projects: the infrastructure making growth possible

The transport, energy and community infrastructure supporting investment across the North Highlands.When people talk about investment in the North Highlands, the conversation often centres on the projects themselves: offshore wind, nuclear, space, conservation and the...

How UHI is helping shape the future of planetary health

UHI's latest global recognition connects the North Highlands to a global network tackling some of the biggest challenges facing, people, communities and the planet.UHI has announced that it has become a member of the highly influential Planetary Health Alliance....

Why Caithness and Sutherland is central to the UK’s clean energy future

Heading to All-Energy 2026? Here are seven reasons why Caithness and Sutherland should be firmly on your radar.The UK’s energy transition won’t be delivered by any one region – achieving a clean energy future will require a network of areas each contributing different...

Caithness schools rebuild their towns in Minecraft

Pupils from Wick and Thurso High Schools completed Highland's first ever Reinventing Regions challenge with Minecraft Education.Imagine having the opportunity to rebuild your town from scratch - what would you keep? What would you change? What design features would...

Building confidence and motivation with local young people

Motivational coach Dee Bleakley returned to the north last week for an inspirational workshop with local school pupils.Across three days, Dee worked with more than 250 pupils at Thurso High School, Wick High School and Farr High School, delivering sessions on...

How the north of Scotland is emerging as a global clean energy powerhouse

Focus North programme manager Peter Faccenda reflects on the launch of the Just Transition Commission's final report in Thurso last week.As the Just Transition Commission filed its final report in this session of Parliament, it was no accident that they chose Thurso...

Opportunity on our doorstep: reflecting on Caithness Jobs and How To Get Them

This weekend's Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them event was an uplifting reminder of the opportunity, ambition and collaboration that defines our region.What a day! It was a pleasure to showcase our region at the Caithness Jobs event and so uplifting to see the...

EVENT: Caithness Jobs – and how to get them

Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them returns next week, linking local talent with employers from across the region. Neillian Rodger, Social Value Coordinator at Murphy, explains why it’s one of the highlights of her working year.Last year, I had the opportunity to...