Creative industries are embedded in our region’s culture with the Gaelic language, Norse heritage, music and arts key strengths. Many of our enterprises are very small but successfully build scale through collaboration. By using technology to best effect, they are able to take distinctive products to a global market and bring major events to the Highlands and Islands.
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Supporting small businesses
Craft is a traditional part of life in the Highlands and Islands and the HIDB also sees it as a way to grow local economies in some of the most remote and rural parts of the region. In places where attracting larger industries is more challenging, the Board focuses on developing craft enterprises.
There are plans to build a new factory for a silversmith in Shetland, and 20 jobs are created at a pottery in Aviemore. Other craft enterprises supported by the Board are Ortak in Orkney, a tapestry business in Conon Bridge, and a postcard printing family business in Coll, part-owned by Mairi Hedderwick, who would later write the celebrated children's book Katie Morag.
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The Board helps to re-equip a knitwear factory in Shetland, and helps another - Hebridean Knitwear - to establish operations in North Uist and Tiree.
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There is a fall in demand for Harris Tweed, which results in a shortage of employment for mill workers and weavers. The HIDB undertakes a detailed study of the industry to explore constraints. The study concludes that the industry needs a completely new approach to marketing and a new central marketing organisation. The need for new design is also emphasised, and it is hoped the development of a "double width" handloom will facilitate this.
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First Highland Trade Fair
The first Highland Trade Fair is organised by the Board, and held in Aviemore. The event enables craft businesses to sell to buyers from outside the region, demonstrating that there are substantial markets for their products. Reflecting its success, the Board propose making the Trade Fair an annual event.
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Shetland Silvercraft, established in 1953, moves to an HIDB built factory unit in Weisdale. This enterprise continues to flourish and trades today as Shetland Jewellery.
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Hebridean Jewellery, which makes high quality Scottish Celtic jewellery, is established in Iochdar on the Island of South Uist.
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David Grant, while studying at the Royal College of Art in London, forms Highland Stoneware with support from the HIDB. Lochinver is chosen as the site for his workshop.
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Three Trade Mark Schemes are now operated by the Board: the Craftmade Mark; the Shetland Knitwear Mark and the newly introduced Highland Food Mark.
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The HIDB gives financial assistance to help 14 new craft businesses to set up in the region. These include a knitwear venture in Skye, woodturning in Mull, and Carron Pottery in Strathcarron.
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The Secretary of State gives consent for Highland Craftpoint, an arts organisation set up by the HIDB and the Scottish Development Agency, to be established in new premises in Beauly.
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The Piers Arts Centre opens in Stromness. This building houses the collection of British fine art donated to Orkney by peace activist and author Margaret Gardiner. The collection is officially recognised by Museums Galleries Scotland as one of national significance. The Centre is extended in 2007, and is a partner of the Tate Gallery.
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Supporting Creativity and Craft
In Beauly, the Highland Craftpoint building is ready to be opened. This new organisation aims to stimulate and support the development of the crafts industry and help artists achieve commercial success. Craftpoint provides individual advice to craft firms on technical and business issues, including marketing, and offers a range of training courses, as well as a crafts apprenticeship scheme. They are also responsible for trade fairs, showcasing Highland crafts.
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A new crafts complex and tearoom 'An Clachan' opens in Leverburgh, on the Isle of Harris. It is built by the HIDB and leased to Harris community co-operative Co-Chomunn Na Hearadh. The facilities include an exhibition area devoted to the story of Harris Tweed, and a demonstration room, as well as a tearoom, workshop and retail outlet.
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The Board agree to purchase the building used by Highland Stoneware in Lochinver, and construct a 2,500 square foot extension for the company. The HIDB also build a second premises for the business in Ullapool, incorporating a workshop and retail unit.
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A New Media Industry
The 1990 Broadcasting Act comes into effect, establishing a £9.6m Gaelic Television Fund. This acts as a catalyst for the independent production sector in Scotland, and creates high quality media outlets in the Highlands and Islands as well as developing the Gaelic media industry in the region.
Gaelic communities are also set to benefit, as new opportunities open up in a sector that proves attractive to young Gaelic speakers.
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The newly formed HIE shows its commitment to community arts with a ground breaking conference on the Social and Economic Impact of the Arts in the Highlands and Islands.
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Protecting Harris Tweed
The Harris Tweed Authority is established by an Act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Act 1993. This ensures the Harris Tweed brand is protected worldwide, via the Orb Mark. To preserve its authenticity, Harris Tweed must be hand-woven by the islanders in their homes in the Outer Hebrides, and cloth must be made from pure virgin wool, which is spun, dyed and processed in the islands.
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Sheila Fleet Jewellery is established in Orkney.
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HIE approves assistance to Bell Woven. This producer of fashion accessories is expected to create up to 45 jobs in Dunoon.
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The Scottish Arts Council is formed following a restructuring of the Arts Council of Great Britain.
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Hunters of Brora complete extensive redevelopment of their Sutherland woollen mill. The project is greatly assisted by a £5.7m funding package from HIE. The woollen mill, which was originally established in 1901, is Sutherland's largest private-sector employer with 78 staff.
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A Boost for Harris Tweed
The Harris Tweed Industry benefits from £570,000 of EU funding, allowing the purchase of new weaving looms. These looms are capable of producing 'double width' cloth, which is better suited to the modern market. The cash boost creates 30 jobs and safeguards a further 70, while also helping 100 small businesses.
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Movies Hit the Road
The Screen Machine, Scotland's first mobile cinema begins its tour of the Highlands and Islands. This articulated unit has a trailer that expands to provide a 102 seat, self-contained cinema. It brings the latest film releases to over 40 communities in some of the most rural parts of the region. The venture is run by HI-Arts, before being taken over by Regional Screen Scotland.
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Creativity Goes North
goNORTH, Scotland's Leading International Creative Industries Festival is launched to provide a platform for artistes from the north of Scotland to showcase for music industry and media representatives. Originally hosted across Aberdeen’s Belmont Street, the festival briefly relocates to Dundee, before settling in Inverness.
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Screen Machine - Take Two
HI-Arts commissions its second mobile cinema - Screen Machine - Take Two. Meanwhile, the Fèis movement celebrates 25 years, and Eden Court Theatre temporarily closes for renovation.
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Research institute Distance Lab is established in Forres, as a subsidiary of HIE. It will explore how digital media and ICT can connect individuals, communities and business.
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Highland 2007 is a year of celebration of Highland culture, and leads to the formation of the Council led Highland Culture Strategic Board. This includes representatives from HIE, Scottish Government, Highland Council, Creative Scotland, Event Scotland and Eden Court, and aims to develop the cultural and creative industries in the region.
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Fàs is opened
Fàs, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's new £8m centre for Creative and Cultural Industries is opened by Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond. The new centre aims to provide for a critical mass of activities in the field of Gaelic arts, culture, heritage, broadcasting, film and new media. Fàs will also seek to facilitate the commercialisation of academic research; attract and support indigenous small and medium enterprises; and foster and support the development of an entrepreneurial culture. HIE's £3.6m contribution to the project represents its largest-ever investment in a single creative industries project anywhere in the Highlands and Islands.
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The Harris Tweed Industry Liaison Group, later renamed The Harris Tweed Industry Forum (HTF), is set up following a time of significant changes in ownership within the industry - accompanied by new investment from both the public and private sector. The HTF comprises private and public sector partners whose aims are to: collaborate to support and develop the industry; realise the potential for growth; and plan ahead towards a shared vision for the future.
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Construction begins of the £12 million creative industries centre Mareel, based in Lerwick.
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The Harris Tweed Industry Forum (HTF) recognises that if Harris Tweed is to continue and grow, there needs to be a radical reassessment of the product, and how the cloth is positioned in the market. There also needs to be a collaborative approach to shared issues of concern such as press coverage, skills and training and seasonality. In response to this, the group launches an industry strategy outlining its framework for development for the next three years. The HTF strives to "realise the potential of Harris Tweed as a world renowned brand, leading to sustainable growth in the industry and contributing to the economic well-being of the Outer Hebrides".
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Hebridean Jewellery is sold to its employees in a deal that will secure the future of the company. This safeguards 14 jobs and important design and manufacturing skills in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
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Supporting Creativity in Shetland
Mareel Creative Industries Centre in Shetland officially opens. This £12m investment includes £965,000 of support from HIE. The Centre is owned and managed by the Shetland Arts Development Agency (SADA), which is a registered charity and HIE account managed social enterprise. The centre will act as a hub for the growth and development of the creative industries sector in Shetland.
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A Media Cluster
The Creative Industries Media Centre, based in Stornoway's “media village”, officially opens. This £2.6m development offers creative sector employment opportunities in the Outer Hebrides, and those associated with Gaelic are particularly recognised.
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The Harris Tweed Industry Forum welcomes the news that 2012 has been the best year for production of the cloth in nearly 15 years.
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Scottish textile weaver, Bute Fabrics Ltd, which has also recently delivered a shipment of tailor-made upholstery fabric to Singapore’s Opera House, confirms that it has successfully doubled its exporting activity in Scandinavia to £250,000. It has reached over £1m export sales in the US and achieved an annual turnover increase of 40% year on year. Working closely with Scottish Development International (SDI) and HIE, Bute Fabrics is fulfilling its ambitious growth plans, opening up new markets overseas and achieving exporting success.
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A training programme is launched to support the development and growth of the Harris Tweed sector.
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The revival in the fortunes of the Harris Tweed industry is underlined by Highland Tweed Hebrides' success at the 2013 UK Fashion and Textile Awards.
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Moving on Up with Katie Morag
The Isle of Lewis is confirmed as the location for Katie Morag, the new CBeebies drama based on the hugely popular series of books created by author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick. Produced by Scottish indie Move On Up, Katie Morag is a 26-part series for CBeebies. Filming begins in May for four months, using both studio facilities on the island as well as the beautiful Hebridean landscape – a key part of the Katie Morag adventures. HIE welcomes the announcement, stating “this TV series will highlight the potential of the area as a base for major productions, boosting both the local supply chain and tourism industry. This flagship production has the potential to showcase the scenery, landscape and culture of the Scottish islands".
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HIE launches a new five year Creative Industries Strategy. It states "This Highlands and Islands Creative Industries Strategy is about helping the region's creative businesses, sole traders and freelancers to keep growing. The industry networks and XPONORTH are at the core of this. Between them, the network programme managers bring a huge range of experience and capability. They will provide valuable practical support on, for example, industry and markets, use of digital platforms and collaboration, particularly international."
Four contractors are appointed to deliver the Creative Industries Network Programme, which is funded by over £2.3m from HIE and Creative Scotland. This new funding also supports ambitious growth of the showcase festival XPONORTH, formerly called goNORTH, as an international platform for creative industries talent from across the Highlands and Islands.
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The Creative Futures Partnership's Design Network, a collaboration between The Glasgow School of Art and HIE, is launched. It aims to offer communities and businesses across the region access to national and international design expertise, through a range of formal and informal events. Its programme will also be aligned with the research and teaching work of The Glasgow School of Art.
Creative Industries
At 2015
The sector supports around
16,000
jobs
across approximately
2,000
businesses
generating in excess of