Orkney1920

Live your best life in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Our region is frequently voted as one of the happiest places to be – why don’t you join us?

Your future in our region

More and more people are choosing to live, work, study and invest in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Quite simply put, it’s because our region offers you the chance to live your best life, right here.

Whether it's the great outdoors that floats your boat, a ceilidh with your friends that makes your head spin, or even a trip back in time at one of the hundreds of historical sites that makes your heart beat faster, you can experience it all here. 

You’ve probably already heard that the Highlands and Islands is a stunningly beautiful region. But did you know, the area is also packed with thriving businesses, social enterprises and communities? It's the perfect place to develop the career you want with the lifestyle you deserve.

Out of the ordinary opportunities

There are a wide range of career options in the Highlands and Islands. Meet some of the people who have set up or are working with amazing businesses or social enterprises.

Supporting skills in our region

Keeping home grown talent and attracting new people to build a life here is a vital part of our region's future. We offer graduate placement programmes, innovation and technology support, leadership training, and management development to support core business skills.

Find out a bit more about some of the talented people making a difference to our businesses across the region from our blogs and news stories.

Laurence Odie Photography

Dream job in Shetland for fashion Graduate

Laurence Odie Knitwear in Shetland is carrying on a centuries old legacy, but in a modern way.

Laurence Odie Knitwear
Finderne Event

Next generation of netzeroheroes

See the blogs from our graduate placements working to grow businesses while protecting our environment.

Our placement blogs
Graduate Collage

Outer Hebrides Graduates

Find out more about the range of jobs our Graduate Support Programme placements are delivering in the Outer Hebrides.

New graduates recruited in the Outer Hebrides
Orkney Graduate Collage Pic Reduced Size

Orkney Graduates

Meet the seven talented graduates based in Orkney businesses and organisations.

Orkney businesses welcome graduates to new roles
Black Bay For Gif

Black Bay Studio

Cal Roden moved to the Isle of Lewis for a graduate post with Black Bay Studio. He says:

“These jobs come up very rarely. When I saw this job advertised, I thought it was ideal, and I had to jump at it, as it was the best chance to get into what I always wanted to do.”

Black Bay Studio

Our region

470,000

people in the region.

3.1%

low rate of unemployment in the region

1

our region is frequently voted as the happiest place to live

20

lower weekly cost of living than London

Young girl at the front of the crowd at Belladrum

Live in the Highlands and Islands

There's so much to see and do in the Highlands and Islands and a lifestyle to suit everyone. 

Warm and friendly people, vibrant towns, thriving communities and stunning scenery – what’s not to love? These are just a few of the reasons people around the world choose to live and work in the Highlands and Islands.

SCOTLAND'S MIGRATION SERVICE

Get all the help you need to make the move. Scotland’s Migration Service can help you settle in the Highlands and Islands. It’s aimed at: 

  • People who have moved to Scotland within the past six months
  • International students in their final year at a Scottish university or college who would like to stay in Scotland after graduating
  • Employers based in Scotland who would like to hire international workers
  • Investors based in another country who would like to set up or expand a business in Scotland. 

You can book appointments with advisers and immigration lawyers through this service to help you with your move. 

Find out more and get support on Scotland.org

 

 

It's easy to make the move

Have a look through our videos to hear from people who've already made the move from across the globe to the Highlands and Islands.

Pierre Bonnin is a French/Scottish national living and working in Scotland.

Cristian Pizarro is a Chilean national living and working in Scotland.

Manuel Alvarez-Icaza is a Mexican national living and working in Scotland.

Pamela Looper is a Dutch national living and working in Scotland.

Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski is a Polish national based here

Study1920

Study here

With seven universities in the region and a network of further and higher education institutes, there's no lack of choice when it comes to studying in the Highlands and Islands. 

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. The University is a partnership of 13 independent colleges and research institutions. Each is locally based and rooted in communities but with a national and international reach.

The network offer a diverse range of courses, many that take advantage of the unique environment, landscape and culture that can only be found in the Highlands and Islands.

Visit UHI 

In addition to UHI, the other six universities with a presence in the region are Heriot Watt, University of Aberdeen, SRUC (Scottish Rural College), Glasgow School of Art and Robert Gordon University.   

Outside view of Orkney Research and Innovation Centre

Base your business here

Want to invest in the area? We can help.

Base your business in the Highlands and Islands

Sunset view of the Calanais stones at the Calanais Visitor Centre

Visit

Ready to fall in love with our region? Then why not come for a visit. It could be the first step on your adventure of a lifetime.

Plan your trip

Holiday makers looking through binoculars towards the Cairngorm Mountains

SUPPORT THE #BEHERE CAMPAIGN

Businesses, communities and agencies are all sharing good news and opportunities from across the Highlands and Islands.

If you want to find out more visit our campaign page for resources and information you can use.

#behere campaign resource bank

The areas which make up the Highlands and Islands

Find out more about what makes each part of our region unique.

Newsletter

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