Higher Ground

Growing community benefits

Higher Ground is a Ross-shire-based business specialising in combining ground maintenance and estate management with enhancing communities and sustainable jobs. They provide year-round services for HIE's locations Inverness Campus and the Enterprise Park Forres.

Community-focused initiatives

The company reinvests profits from contracts like HIE’s to support various community projects. Organisations including Dingwall Community Development Company, Alzheimer’s Scotland, and local Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps buildings receive grounds maintenance at a reduced or no cost. Higher Ground also maintains public spaces in Dingwall and undertakes social housing projects below cost to support the community.

Workforce, education and youth engagement

A living wage accredited business, Higher Ground is a small close-knit company with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

Developing skills in the community is also important to the team. They collaborate closely with local schools, offering work placements for students from Dingwall Academy and Charleston Academy who struggle with traditional classroom learning. In 2024, Director Garry Sutherland was guest of honour supporting the Academy's annual prize giving.   

They also provide work experience through Hi-Hope, helping young people gain valuable skills. 

Environmental sustainability

Higher Ground is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. As part of its net zero plan, the business bought and uses an electric van on HIE contracts. Detailed route planning and resource management help minimise travel and emissions across their projects.

They have championed re-wilding efforts at Forres Enterprise Park, and their expertise is sought after. Following an enquiry from a community organisation about our wild flower mix at Inverness Campus, Higher Ground's head gardener offered a consultancy session free of charge. 

Charitable giving and sponsorships

Higher Ground’s community support extends to charitable donations and sponsorships. This includes donations to Alzheimer’s Scotland, assistance with coastal erosion projects, and sponsorships for local sports teams and events, such as a golf competition for seniors and a tractor run fundraiser for local farm charities.