EANN SINCLAIR: North coast companies maturing nicely – just like their products
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In his new monthly column, Highlands and Islands Enterprise's area manager Eann Sinclair looks at the innovation helping to shape the far north
I recently welcomed HIE chief executive Stuart Black to the north for his first visit since taking up post. Stuart’s visit also marked his six months in charge at HIE, during a period where global events have continued to make life challenging for businesses, communities and individuals.
There are still good reasons to be optimistic about our area's economy – not because it is exempt from any of the issues being felt across the country, but rather because of the resilience of businesses and people.
It was good to be able to introduce Stuart to some “young companies” whilst he was here.
We visited Martin Murray at Dunnet Bay Distillers (DBD), whose story over the past seven years has been one of innovation and growth. The company’s innovative approach to sustainability has led to the development of refill pouches for Rock Rose Gin, substantially reducing the environmental impact (and cost) of bottled product.
Martin’s journey from an oil and gas background to distillery has been an example of the skills transition from sectors like oil and gas and nuclear to sustainable economic activity, and his passion comes across whenever he speaks about the growth of his business.
We have been able to support that journey, most recently with some financial support for the recruitment of a Graduate Placement, who has already been able to contribute to the company by creating a new gin product. We are also supporting the creation of a new bottling plant beside the historic mill complex at nearby Castletown.
We were able to visit the site and see the progress being made, as well as hearing about the next phase of Dunnet Bay Distillers’ plans, which focus on the redevelopment of the mill complex itself.
We have seen the emergence of young business leaders like Martin and Claire at DBD, but also Struan and Alex from North Point Distillery at Forss, which provides an interesting contrast with the Dunnet model.
Here the award-winning rum and gin products are crafted with the same care for environmental impact, but this is further helped by the developing biomass system at the Forss Business and Energy Park which park owners Abbey Ecosse are progressing. The distillery is also largely powered by renewable energy via the onsite wind turbines.
We have supported the initial growth of North Coast Distillers with financial investment through our Young Companies Capital Investment programme, as well as via our Graduate Placement programme. The latter has allowed a young family to move back to Caithness, which is a welcome benefit from our investment programme.
Struan and Alex also described their innovative approach to “curating” cask collections from individuals, using their bonded warehouse space at Forss. This is an innovative approach, making use of current and future business space at the Business and Energy Park to provide a secure yet accessible space for the huge number of collectors seeking a home for their casks.
With the imminent opening of the 8 Doors Distillery at John O’ Groats under the ownership of another young partnership – Derek and Kerry Campbell – the north coast boasts a cluster of innovation and enthusiasm at a time when both are badly needed.
Our visits in the area were completed with a short stop at Thurso Community Development Trust’s “Socially Growing” shop in Thurso, which also gave us an opportunity to take part in the Highland Climate Festival’s “climate café”. The trust has taken on the management of the North Highland and Islands Climate Hub, and is leading by example in the move towards a lower-carbon environment.
The trust’s aspirations for Thurso to be Scotland’s first net-zero town are ambitious, but are backed by its actions on food waste, growing schemes and active travel. Once again the sheer dynamism of the trust’s key individuals was great to see and hear.
Stuart’s short visit to our area allowed him to see why we have reasons to hope for the future of our economy, even as we continue to feel the effects of wider issues that are largely beyond the control of our businesses and communities. I look forward to welcoming him back north to see how other parts of the area are showing both resilience and innovation.
- Eann Sinclair is area manager, Caithness and Sutherland at Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
