The proposed Growth Deal would build on a range of council-led strategic initiatives and partnerships and bring them together under one single strategic framework, with the potential to unlock an estimated £10 billion to £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.

Investment linked to renewable energy, electricity transmission, ports, housing, transport, digital connectivity, workforce development and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport have the potential to reshape the Highland economy.

The proposed Growth Deal would focus on ensuring this investment delivers a legacy by strengthening communities, supporting sustainable economic growth, improving infrastructure and retaining more economic value within the Highlands.

Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner, said: “Significant investment is already being planned and delivered across our region, creating the potential for transformational economic growth.

“However, sustainable growth can only be achieved through strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, ensuring investment translates into lasting local benefits through jobs, skills, business growth and stronger communities.

“This is a critical time for the Highlands, with both the Scottish and UK Governments considering future spending priorities, economic growth and infrastructure investment, alongside ongoing discussions on public sector reform.

“The Highlands has a unique opportunity to make a nationally significant contribution to Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy and the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Combined with our strong track record of delivery, ambitious plans for the future and established partnerships across the public and private sectors, this creates a compelling case for investment that will unlock growth, support our communities and deliver lasting benefits across the Highlands for generations to come.”

Joint leader of the Highland Independent Group, Cllr Michael Green, added: “It’s important the benefits of economic investment are felt in our communities through housing, infrastructure, employment opportunities, and improved access to local services.

“A Highland Growth Deal would bring together the significant work already underway across the region into a co-ordinated, long-term plan, helping to unlock additional investment and maximise its impact. Our ambition is delivery growth that is sustainable and delivers lasting legacy for communities across the Highlands.”

An initial investment framework for a future Highland Growth Deal identifies a number of priority areas for the next phase of economic development, including:

• Enabling infrastructure and connectivity
• Housing and community sustainment
• Energy transition and industrial opportunity
• Skills, workforce and fair work
• Business growth, innovation and inward investment
• Community wealth and social infrastructure
• Climate resilience, land and natural capital
• Culture, creativity and identity

The proposed Growth Deal would build on significant strategic initiatives already underway across the Highlands, including:

• Invest Highland, which promotes the Highlands as a destination for investment and connects potential funders with opportunities at strategic, regional and local level.
• The Highland Investment Plan, which commits £750 million to capital investment projects over the next five years, including new schools and community Points of Delivery (PoDs).
• The Highland Social Value Charter, which has secured £6bn in investment pledges since its launch in 2025 and commits major renewable developments to delivering lasting community benefit and wider social value.
• The Highland Wealth Fund, a partnership-led fund designed to channel Social Value Charter contributions and other investment into strategic, regional, area and local priority projects.
• The Highland Housing Challenge, which brings together a series of actions to deliver 25,000 additional homes across Highland by 2035.
• The Highland Adapts Partnership, which coordinates climate action, adaptation, resilience and net zero activity across communities.
• The Workforce North Co-Investment Fund, a £2m pilot fund which brings together public and private investment to support employers in recruiting, training and developing the workforce needed to meet future demand.
• The Poverty and Equalities Commission for Highland, established by the council to drive action to tackle poverty and inequality across the region.
• The Creative Highland Board, which is leading the development of an arts and culture strategy alongside a Cultural Assembly representing the ambitions of the sector.

Council officers will now begin formal discussions with both governments and develop an initial strategic proposition, investment framework and programme of priority activity for further consideration by members.

The proposed Growth Deal would build on the success of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.