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HIE case study
Kevin Ferguson has been able to remain in the region for most of his working life, and build his career within the family business of Ferguson Transport & Shipping. He is now operations and project manager for their co-owned Kishorn Port Ltd company (KPL).
Kishorn Port has one of Europe’s largest dry docks, providing services to all the energy markets such as offshore wind manufacturing, assembly and fabrication, maintenance and decommissioning. It also has the added feature of an on-site quarry for the supply of concreting aggregates if concrete gravity base structures or concrete casings are required.
The site has 45 hectares of land available for immediate construction and development with a further 10 hectares available.
Find out what Kevin has to say about living and working in the Highlands of Scotland.
"I’ve lived in Fort William for the majority of my life with only really two short spells away from the town as my residence. At 16, I joined the Army for four years and did my training for the first year in Harrogate/Catterick in Yorkshire and then subsequently based in Fallingbostel, Germany. Then, around 2012, I moved to Glasgow for a year to go on a full-time college course for HNC Mechanical Engineering."
"Working within the family business of Ferguson Transport & Shipping has allowed me to progress through many roles at the company from working within the storage and warehouse department to HGV driving and crane operations to Engineering support for the vessels and laterally as Operations and Project manager for our co-owned Kishorn Port Ltd company.
"Kishorn Port & Dry dock provides services for four main sectors: Aquaculture, Oil and Gas, Renewables and Decommissioning. My current role at KPL has me involved with projects from initial enquiries right the way through to completion of projects. Mainly facilitating and supporting principal contractors and asset owners with large scale projects within our dry dock and offering port and marine services, welfare and accommodation, and waste management to name a few."
"The Highlands is an excellent environment to be living and working in. I travel a lot for work and the scenic views and natural environment that I drive through most days is always rewarding.
"I like the working ethic of our staff and the people who always strive to do a good job and take pride in their work."
"The opportunities in the Highlands now with the emerging renewables sector, and in particular offshore floating wind, is something I’ve not seen before and it’s exciting to be part of. The opportunity for growth in the ports and the wider supporting communities seems like a generational chance.
"For people considering coming to the Highlands there is undoubtedly going to be many important roles and opportunities for personal growth and all within an area as beautiful as the North of Scotland, I can see why that would be so appealing."
Find out more about Kishorn Port Ltd on their website.
Have we piqued your interest in Lochaber?
Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, a new opportunity, a better work-life balance, or just a stunningly beautiful place to visit, Lochaber could be the place for you.
Love Lochaber, operated by the local Chamber of Commerce, is packed with useful information for those looking to live, work, study or invest in the area. Find out about local opportunities, career options and area developments on their website.
Hear other stories from people who have made the move to the Scottish Highlands.
David Duguid is a mechanical Engineer with Aurora Energy Services providing onshore and offshore installation, inspection and maintenance services.
Manon Bordeau from Paris is a structures engineer with Orbex. She tells us about her role within the Scottish space sector and being part of such a pioneering project based in the Highlands.
Bec Chadwick, originally from Australia, chats to us about her move to Scotland with partner, Roberto, and taking up her role as office manager with Nc’Nean Distillery.
Anja Baak, originally from the Netherlands, set up her family-owned business, the Great Glen Charcuterie, with her husband, Jan Jacob.
Find out what drove a Marine Technical Manager from Australia to swap life down under for a career in green energy transition, right here in the Highlands of Scotland.
