Inverness and the Central Highlands must receive sustained investment from the next Scottish Government or Scotland risks missing a major opportunity to strengthen energy security, create jobs and deliver long-term economic growth.
The call comes as Inverness Chamber today launches its Manifesto for the Scottish Parliament Election 2026, setting out a clear blueprint for unlocking the region’s economic potential and ensuring Highland businesses can play a full role in the UK’s transition to clean power.
The manifesto highlights the scale of opportunity facing the region, with the growth of renewable energy and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport expected to generate significant investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chain development and highly skilled jobs. However, businesses warn that persistent challenges – including skills shortages, housing availability, transport connectivity and rising costs – could limit growth if not addressed through coordinated policy action.
Developed in consultation with member organisations across a wide range of sectors, the manifesto outlines five key priorities for the next Scottish Government: Skills & Workforce, Housing & Planning, Transport Connectivity, Business Costs & Taxation, and Development of Renewables. Together, these areas reflect the consistent concerns raised by businesses and the practical steps needed to support sustainable growth across the Highlands.
Forecasts indicate that up to 15,000 additional jobs and 24,000 new homes could be required in the region over the next decade to support major developments linked to the clean power transition. Inverness Chamber is calling for strategic investment and joined-up policy making to ensure infrastructure, workforce and public services can support this growth, enabling the Highlands to deliver lasting economic benefit for Scotland as a whole.
Colin Marr, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said, “Businesses across the Highlands are ambitious and ready to grasp the opportunities ahead.
“However, our businesses feel that successive Scottish Governments have overlooked the region in favour of investment in the Central Belt. Without bold action from the next Scottish Government, our businesses will be constrained by skills shortages, housing pressures, infrastructure gaps and an outdated regulatory environment. As a result, Scotland risks missing its opportunity to become a major player in future global energy markets.
“This manifesto reflects the clear and consistent priorities of our business community. We are calling on all candidates standing in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election to demonstrate how they will support investment in the Highlands and enable our region to reach its full potential for the benefit of communities across Scotland.”
The Chamber emphasises that a thriving Highlands economy will deliver benefits nationally, supporting productivity, strengthening supply chains and helping ensure the UK remains competitive in the global energy market. The manifesto also highlights the importance of ensuring local businesses are well positioned to access supply chain opportunities associated with major renewables developments.
Businesses, partners and prospective MSPs are encouraged to review the manifesto and support its priorities to ensure the needs of the Highland business community are clearly understood ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
The summary version has been designed for easy sharing with colleagues, partners and election candidates to help inform discussion in the weeks leading up to the election and in the early months of the new parliament.