West Highland Chamber of Commerce

12/09/2026

"Nobody hears about our business." 📣

We hear this a lot — and the numbers say otherwise.

Over the summer, the Chamber's page alone clocked up 43,000+ views — and 65% of those reached people who don't even follow us yet. Visitors are spending over 12 minutes at a time browsing our members directory. Our video series is closing in on 1,000 views.

The audience is here. The question is whether your business is in front of it.

✅ Complete your directory profile
✅ Send us your news — we'll publish it, free
✅ Come tell your story on 'Let's Talk About Your Business'

Message us or email [email protected] — and let's get you heard. 🏔️

11/09/2026

The visitor levy consultation is open — and this one really matters. 🏔️

The Highland Council is now formally consulting on a visitor levy: £5 per room, per night — £3 for hostels, campsites and caravans — applied nine months of the year, Highland-wide.

Let me be clear about two things.

First: this is The Highland Council's consultation, not ours. And ultimately it will be Highland councillors — the people you elect — who decide whether this levy happens, and in what form.

Second: we're heading into an election period. Councillors will be weighing this decision politically, and that means they'll be listening hardest to one group of people — their constituents. That's you.

So whether you run an accommodation business that would collect this levy unpaid, a shop or restaurant that depends on visitors, or you simply live here and care how our region is funded — get involved. Respond to the consultation. Speak to your councillor. Tell them what you'd want the money spent on, and who you think should decide.

The Chamber has fought for (and will continue to engage) a workable scheme — a flat rate, not a percentage; fair treatment for smaller operators — and we've won ground. But let's be honest: a levy will put some visitors off. That's why at least 10% of everything raised should go straight back into marketing the Highlands — keeping the visitors coming who pay for it all in the first place.

Don't leave this one to other people. Have your say.

10/09/2026

And we're back from London — and what a thirty-six hours it was.

Our delegation of West Highland businesses travelled down together (huge thanks to Lumo Trains, who sponsored the delegation's travel), with one clear message to deliver: our region is open for investment, and we know exactly what's standing in the way of more of it.

We started at UK Government Scotland with Melanie Ward MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. Our businesses weren't there to complain ,they were there to lay out the opportunity, and to be honest about the barriers holding investment back. The big one? Grid capacity. Until that's sorted, a lot of investment that's ready and waiting for the West Highlands simply can't connect.

From there it was on to Westminster, where we toured the estate and met with our own MP Angus MacDonald Highland Liberal Democrats, who continues to be a real champion for the west.

Tuesday evening was a business showcase at Scotland House — a room full of diaspora, investors, diplomats and fellow chambers, all hearing the West Highlands story told by the people actually building the businesses. Not something that happens every day.

We closed things out with breakfast at the House of Lords with Baroness Catherine MacLeod, chaired by Lord Donald Cameron, and a big thank you to Torcuil Crichton MP for helping make it all happen.

Here's why it matters: decisions made in Whitehall land right here in Oban Fort William, Mallaig, Skye and Lochaber — whether we're in the room to speak up or not. This week, we were in the room.

Thank you to every single delegate who gave up two days of trading to make the case for our region. Now the real work begins turning good conversations into action.

And to everyone we met who offered their support this week — come and see us. Come and feel what the West Highlands is really about. It's the best way to help us all make the most of this opportunity, for our communities and for the whole of the UK.

09/09/2026

🚨 FINAL SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONNECT & ELEVATE 2026! 🚨

Could your business benefit from funding to invest in training, apprenticeships and workforce development?

We’re delighted to welcome Claire Sim, Regional Skills Planning Lead – Highlands & Islands at Skills Development Scotland, to Connect & Elevate.

Claire will give an overview of the Workforce North Co-Investment Fund, sharing practical insights into:

💡 What funding is available
💡 Who can apply
💡 How your organisation could benefit
💡 How investment in skills can help tackle shortages, attract talent and support future growth

If you’re looking at how to develop your people, strengthen your workforce and prepare your business for what’s ahead, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Tickets are selling — book your place at Connect & Elevate today! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connect-elevate-2026-tickets-1988817700279

05/09/2026

Turns out my time as a rep in Greece wasn't wasted after all.

As I sit here prepping itineraries, guest lists and train times for our West Highland Chamber delegation to Westminster next week, all those years of herding holidaymakers around are apparently paying off.

Sixteen businesses, two days, one very full programme — and me somewhere between excitement and a wee bit of PTSD.

Wish us luck. See you on the other side, Westminster.

02/09/2026

🗺️ A FREE RESOURCE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS & GUESTS! 📍

Chamber member Thomas Telford Corpach Marina & Slipway Fort William has teamed up with fellow chamber member, UHI North, West and Hebrides to create a fantastic series of interactive local maps — and they’re free for local businesses to share with customers and guests! 🎉

📍 Corpach Local Map – local services, transport, places to eat, attractions and more
📍 Fort William & Lochaber – activities, tours, sightseeing, museums, shopping, food and more
⛵ Sailing Loch Linnhe – berths, moorings, places to eat, drink and explore by boat

The interactive maps are continually updated, meaning your guests can discover the latest places and points of interest across the area.

👉 Want something you can hand to guests? The stylised Corpach Local Map is also available as a free downloadable PDF, ready to print and share.

So, accommodation providers, visitor attractions, activity businesses, marinas and tourism operators — why not add the maps to your visitor information and help your guests make the most of their stay? 💚

🔗 Explore the maps & download the free PDF:
https://www.corpachmarina.co.uk/visit/local-services/

👏 A brilliant initiative helping visitors stay longer, explore further and discover more of our amazing corner of Scotland!

Nearby to Corpach Marina are shops, cafes, restaurants and amenities.

02/09/2026

Here is Angus's thoughts on Andy Burnhams first PMQs, what were your thoughts?

30/08/2026

🎬 NEW EPISODE — Let's Talk About Your Business, Episode 7

Is AI actually any use to a small business up here in the West Highlands? Or is it all hype aimed at big companies with big IT budgets?

This week I sat down with Adrian Mowat of Precision Weave in Fort William to find out. 💻

Adrian spent 25 years in software development before setting up on his own to help small business owners use AI in a practical, down-to-earth way — taking the repetitive admin off their plate so they can get back to the work that actually pays the bills.

His view is refreshingly honest: AI is a tool for efficiency, not a replacement for thinking. It handles the first draft, the sorting and the routine steps — you keep hold of the decisions.

We talk about what's worth automating, what you should never hand over, the mistakes he sees people make, and where to start if you've no IT support behind you.

Whether you're curious, sceptical, or quietly wondering if you're being left behind — it's well worth 20 minutes of your time. ▶️ Link below 👇

26/08/2026

Highland Council has agreed to consult on a visitor levy — £5 per room per night (£2 for hostels and campsites), raising around £9 million every year.

Here's the question that matters most: who decides how that money is spent?

Right now, the proposal is that businesses and communities get a Forum that "provides advice." That's not good enough. The accommodation providers who will collect this levy — unpaid — deserve a real seat at the table, and communities deserve guarantees this is new investment, not a top-up for existing council budgets.

The consultation opens in September, with a final decision in December 2026. We'll be holding member sessions across Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross so every business can get answers and have their say — face to face.

If you run a tourism business in the West Highlands, this is your moment.