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...

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...

Launch into the future with Sutherland Spaceport

Sutherland Spaceport hosted a Public Open Day at the Kyle Centre, Tongue, that included a visit to the site. It was a great opportunity for the local community to see progress and to ask questions about the developments at the Spaceport. The Sutherland Spaceport, set...

Funding secured for continued Wick-Aberdeen flights

Transport Scotland has confirmed that it will continue to fund the public service obligation flights connecting Wick John O'Groats Airport to Aberdeen. This follows two years of sustained passenger growth on the route and an updated business case submitted by local...

A SParc of inspiration in north Wales

Focus North is always on the lookout for learning opportunities and collaborations beyond our 'patch' so we were delighted to receive an invitation to visit M-SParc in North Wales. Our partners at Dounreay had recently made the same trip, and returned full of...

‘For Peat’s Sake’

📣 Exciting New 📣 Focus North, NatureScot and UHI North, West and Hebrides are delighted to announce that we have secured funding from the Highland Council's Green Skills Fund to support local businesses interested in peatland restoration training. For further...

The road to orbit!

Interesting visit to Sutherland Spaceport to see the progress in building the site. It was a typical winter's day in Sutherland - bright blue skies but a bit blustery for Peter Guthrie from HIE and Peter Faccenda from Focus North. Sutherland Spaceport launches its...

Wick John O’Groats Airport electric aircraft trial

It was incredible to attend test trials for the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) flights at Wick John O'Groats Airport in October. The ARC C-600 autonomous aircraft, featuring an advanced fixed winf design and electric take-off and landing capabilities,...