Caithness business successes celebrated at Chamber of Commerce 50th anniversary dinner in Wick
Business leaders gathered in Wick to celebrate the many achievements of the past and present at the Caithness Chamber of Commerce’s 50th anniversary dinner.
Four businesses were recognised at the awards ceremony which took place last Thursday as part of the annual dinner, something that has become a cornerstone of the local business calendar.
Many of the region’s most prominent business figures were at the Norseman Hotel, where the theme of the evening was 1974 – the year the first Chamber of Commerce was founded in Caithness.
Guests from across the UK were warmly welcomed by Stephen Sutherland, chair of the Caithness Chamber. His speech reflected on the chamber’s pivotal role in shaping the local business landscape, highlighting key moments over the past five decades that have contributed to the region’s growth.
This was followed by an address from Stuart McAuley, project director of the West of Orkney Windfarm and the event’s principal sponsor. He commended the county’s welcoming nature and praised the chamber’s support, as well as the high calibre of skilled businesses in the region.
The evening featured a keynote speech by Lord Thurso, long-standing patron of the local chamber, who delivered an inspiring address in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
His speech centred on the people of Caithness. Reflecting on past events, Lord Thurso read an extract from the Caithness Courier of November 6, 1974, which referred to his maiden public speech during the Friends of the London-Caithness Association gathering.
“The basic Caithnessian was what made Caithness tick,” he read. “They possessed an openness and hospitality that was unrivalled and had an adaptability and ingenuity borne of many years of simply having to manage or make up for what was needed but unobtainable.
“They had a wonderful ability to turn a sassenach visitor into a spiritual native of Caithness in a very short space of time. The way in which the ‘Atomics’ had become such a vital and important part of the community was only one example of this work.
“He believed that the true basic wealth of any county, or for that matter any country, could be measured in terms of its inhabitants. It was the people that were a country’s greatest asset.”
Lord Thurso suggested that the same was true today as it was 50 years ago.
The highlight of the evening was the business awards ceremony, offering a platform for innovative companies and entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 was presented to Megan Love of Studio Wellness, Halkirk, by award sponsor Coll Murchison-MacDonald, partner at Saffery Inverness.
Specialising in remedial and sports massage, cupping, and kinesiology taping, Studio Wellness distinguishes itself as the only business in Caithness offering Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation and Spinal and Peripheral Joint Mobilisation.
Megan’s warm, compassionate nature and dedication to continuous learning have earned her a loyal client base and an excellent reputation. She was commended by the judges for her passion, commitment and holistic, client-focused approach, as well as her ambition to expand into wellbeing coaching.
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, presented the Community Business Award 2024 to Wick River Campsite, which was reopened under the management of Wick Development Trust in June 2022.
Under the trust’s stewardship, the campsite has undergone a remarkable transformation, securing £450k in funding for a state of-the-art, fully accessible, energy-efficient, net-zero toilet and facilities building, which opened in June this year.
The judges were highly impressed by the extensive renovation of the campsite and praised the dedication of the board and team, who have successfully led this transformative social enterprise, creating jobs and significantly enhancing the town of Wick for both visitors and residents.
Matthew and Chloe Mackay, the husband-and-wife team behind Cakes and Bakes at Comlifoot, received a Highly Commended recognition in the Young Business of the Year 2024 category, presented by award sponsor Andrew Mackay, director of the Caithness Collection.
Since opening their cake honesty box in Halkirk in 2022, the pair have transformed their passion for home baking into a thriving business that has become a local favourite. The judges were impressed by the tenacity of this growing venture and captivated by the ambition and enthusiasm that Chloe and Matthew have demonstrated.
Their journey highlights how, with a strong work ethic and creative thinking, a small initiative can be turned into a successful enterprise.
The Young Business Award 2024 was presented to Fresh Favourites, founded in 2022 by Derek Balloch and Debbie Mackay, by Richard Copeland, director of Pentland Floating Offshore Windfarm and sponsor of the award.
Fresh Favourites has transformed the takeaway experience by maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and freshness, ensuring that each meal is crafted from the finest ingredients and bursting with flavour.
The judges also praised the business for its strong community focus, including its initiatives supporting local senior citizens. Looking ahead, Fresh Favourites plans to open a storefront, which will not only enhance the customer experience but also showcase products from local suppliers.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, guests were treated to a surprise performance by renowned magician, scientist, and comedian Kevin Quantum. His captivating show left the audience mesmerised with seemingly impossible illusions and mathematical wizardry.
The evening concluded in style with a live performance by vocalist Sarah Mackay, celebrating some of the best hits of 1970s – including Abba’s 1974 Eurovision-winning song, Waterloo.
Trudy Morris, CEO of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are thrilled by the success of the evening and were delighted to see such positive energy in the room. It’s amazing to bring together so many business leaders to celebrate 50 years of business excellence in our region.
“The Rt Hon Lord Thurso himself couldn’t have said it better – the north Highlands is a place full of ingenuity and an unrivalled welcoming spirit.
“Congratulations to our young entrepreneur and all of our business award winners. We look forward to what the future holds for our region in the next 50 years!”
