After a disappointing start to the year with working-from-home and lockdown fatigue – we are delighted to end the year on high with numerous exciting and innovative projects at varying stages all progressing well.
In October we commenced a study on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, investigating the feasibility of opening a fish market at Macduff Harbour. This study plays to the strengths of the whole team, with a mixture of research, consultation, infrastructure assessment and business case. We are also pleased to be working again with DWS Associates, who are supporting the project with financial projects and cost-benefit analysis.
We are also progressing some follow-up work for Aberdeenshire Council in forming a steering group to take forward recommendations from our feasibility study earlier this year investigating the opportunity for Seaweed cultivation in the North-East Coast. Seaweed cultivation has the potential to grow substantially in the future if challenges in processing capacity can be overcome and the commercial opportunities are fully understood.
We are also supporting our long-standing Aquaculture clients with two large-scale developments at pre-construction stage.
Greg and son Angus (10) who this year signed for the Fort William FC youth team were delighted to make a donation on behalf of Northern Light towards the cost of a new lawnmower for the club. Fort William are currently playing their home games away, as the pitch was ruled to be in poor condition earlier in the season, but is now in excellent shape. The club are still looking for donations to fund other improvements to preserve an important asset for the community.
Sarah has been busy with her role as Innovation and Engagement Director at SAIC (Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre) recently collaborating with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce to bring their Aquaculture day to Lochaber Ideas Week. With a wide-varying programme of speakers and finally (!) the opportunity for in person networking and engagement – a successful day was had by all!
As part of Lochaber Ideas Week, Greg visited BSW for their ‘Tour of BSW.’ This was a great opportunity to see behind the scenes and learn more about the production process.
Earlier this month we were delighted to welcome long-standing client R3-IoT to our Fort William office, to support the growth of their innovative services within the Scottish Aquaculture industry. Their robust and resilient connectivity technology is currently integrated and deployed in a number of sectors including energy, rural health, utilities and environmental monitoring. Aquaculture is the next step in the journey and we are working with them to develop the technology to best meet the needs of the sector.
Corpach Marina has made significant progress throughout 2021, with phases 1 and 2 reaching completion. We are now working with the client group to close the final funding gap to purchase marina breakwaters pontoons and linkspan – with a target to open in summer 2022.
We are also delighted to have recently been accepted as signatories of the Scottish Business Pledge – highlighting our commitment to ‘fairness, equality, opportunity and innovation in Scotland.’
As we enter the Christmas period we have a number of tenders in the pipeline due for submission with the possibility of some exciting projects and studies taking place at the turn of the year.
As ever please do get in touch if there is a project or anything you feel we could support!
