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...

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...

Launch your engineering career in the North Highlands

Debbie Miller, Vice Principal Strategic Operations at UHI North, West and Hebrides, explains how the path to your engineering future starts right on your doorstep. As part of the leadership team at UHI North West and Hebrides – and as a Caithness parent – I often hear...

How to accelerate your carbon reduction plan: for free

Carbon reduction plans. We all know they're necessary, but why do they feel like such a chore? For most businesses, like everything else, it comes down to time and money. SMEs in particular might struggle to dedicate resource to this task, yet it's one that ultimately...

Focus North attends Just Transition Summit

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of attending the Just Transition Commission Summit in Edinburgh - an inspiring event bringing together people from across Scotland who are shaping our journey to a fair and inclusive net zero future. The Just Transition Commission plays...

Caithness to welcome first broch in 2000 years

Focus North is delighted to hear that our friends over at the Caithness Broch Project have pulled off a fantastic feat - securing planning permission to build the first broch in Scotland for more than 2000 years. Yes, you read that correctly. A broch is an tall, round...

“It shows clients you’re serious” – why we joined the Net Zero Accelerator

JGC was one of several local companies to benefit from Focus North’s fully-funded Net Zero Nation Accelerator programme, supporting SMEs to create meaningful carbon reduction plans. Here, Alan Miller and Ellie Mackay explain the benefits Why did you sign up for Net...

‘Carbon is money’ – why we joined the Net Zero Accelerator

Caithness Engineering Services was one of several local companies to benefit from Focus North’s fully-funded Net Zero Nation Accelerator programme, supporting SMEs to create meaningful carbon reduction plans. Directors Graham Robertson and John Crowden share their...