The West Highland Chamber of Commerce will unveil its new West Highland Manifesto 2025–26 at the Marriott Hotel Holyrood, Edinburgh, at 14:30 today (Thursday 18 September), setting out the priorities that businesses in Lochaber, North Argyll, Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh, and Wester Ross believe can unlock growth, sustainability, and wellbeing across the region;  and deliver benefits to the whole of Scotland.

The launch event will bring together Highland business leaders, politicians and policymakers to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the region.

The West Highlands contribute significantly to Scotland’s economy but face persistent challenges in transport, housing, skills, and infrastructure. Without targeted investment and devolved decision-making, businesses warn that the region cannot reach its full potential.

The Manifesto highlights five key areas where the West Highlands needs the support of the public sector to deliver for Scotland: 

• Community Infrastructure – better healthcare, education, public transport, and community spaces. Calls include a replacement Belford Hospital in Fort William and stronger local decision-making powers.
• Transport – upgrades to the A82, A83, and key routes on Skye and Wester Ross to remove bottlenecks and support growth.
• Training & Skills – creating a Strategic Skills Forum and boosting links between schools, colleges, and businesses to prepare young people and career-changers for future jobs.
• Housing – more affordable homes to tackle depopulation and help businesses retain staff, alongside planning reform to speed up delivery.
• Tourism, Gaelic & Culture – sustainable visitor management, improvements to licensing, and stronger promotion of Gaelic as both a cultural and economic asset.

The West Highland Chamber is also calling for the appointment of a dedicated Minister for the Highlands, retention of HIE as a regional agency, and a stronger local authority presence in the area.

Frazer Coupland, CEO of the West Highland Chamber of Commerce, said: “The West Highland Manifesto is designed as both a business-led action plan and a clear ask of government. It sets out practical steps that could transform the region’s future and underpin Scotland’s wider prosperity.”

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Scottish Chambers of Commerce CEO, said: “We know that the West Highlands are central to Scotland’s future prosperity. With 18,000 long-term jobs projected by 2040, the region is poised to become a powerhouse for economic growth.

“This manifesto rightly calls for the infrastructure, housing, and skills investments needed to realise that ambition. All of Scotland’s political parties should now consider how they can work with the Chamber to unlock the region’s considerable promise.”

The West Highland Manifesto builds on the recent Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) report that underlines the scale of the potential in the Highlands. It highlights over 250 planned development projects in the economic pipeline that represent what it calls ‘transformational opportunities’.  Together, the projects represent a potential total investment value of up to £100.35bn and could bring around 16,000 jobs at the peak of construction and development, and 18,000 operational jobs by 2040 to the region.

Frazer Coupland added: “The West Highlands gives far more than it gets back. With fairer investment in roads, homes, skills, and services, we can deliver even more for Scotland. Our businesses are ready to lead, and we need governments to match that ambition.

“This is a chance to get it right for the West Highlands — and by doing so, get it right for Scotland,”

The Chamber will continue to work closely with governments, councils, and community partners to turn these key priorities into action.

The West Highland Manifesto can be found here – https://www.lochaberchamber.co.uk/about-us/west-highland-manifesto/

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About West Highland Chamber of Commerce

West Highland Chamber of Commerce is a fully affiliated member of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, representing businesses of all sizes across a wide range of industries.  

We used to be called the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, but now we’ve grown. We’re proud to support businesses not just in Lochaber, but across the West Highlands – from Oban to Skye, Raasay, Lochalsh and Wester Ross.

Together, we’re building a connected, confident business network across the West Highlands.