Space truly is the next frontier for Scottish businesses, as three different out of this world projects were announced in the last few weeks.
The UK Space Agency have given funding ‘boosters’ across ten space sites across the UK, including two Scottish sites receiving £102,500 between them.
In a recent UK Space Strategy, Professor Iain Woodhouse, Space Research Theme Lead at the University of Edinburgh, said ’central Scotland was identified as one of the key space hubs in the UK‘ and that their work will ’propel the UK space sector forward.‘
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which received £38,000, will use the grant to develop activity and launch facilities at the proposed site of the Space Hub Sutherland.
The Scottish Space Group will use its allocated £64,500 to appoint a cluster development management, scaling of regional STEM activities and stakeholder engagement to promote the cluster.
The global space economy is on a trajectory expected to be worth £490 billion by the year 2030, which is a very large pie for Scotland to be getting a slice of, and the University of Edinburgh (UoE) has already taken a bite.
AstroAgency, based in Edinburgh, just completed its pilot contract with the university, providing support and guidance to any students interested in making a career in the final frontier – and it seems to be a bright and lucrative market ahead for any student looking to the stars.
Scotland has a long and well-established tradition in innovative engineering, and the space sector is another opportunity for Scottish business to prove itself on an international level, backed by our acclaimed and world-famous educational institutions.
As the sector grows at the speed of light, the university wants to be known as “a Global Space University and the Space Data Capital of Europe”, according to Kristina Tamane, Space Sector Lead at the uni.
She said that the pilot project ’proved a great success with participants attending the drop-in sessions from both Edinburgh and further afield.’
The investment is very welcome, but Scotland is no stranger to this universe.
Scottish Development International (SDI) claim there are over 130 companies in Scotland that are involved in the space industry, with some of the biggest global players with operations in the central belt.
Despite having only 8 per cent of the UK population, Scotland is home to 18 per cent of the UK’s space roles, with over 7,500 employed in the sector.
In the UK government’s own words, the recent investment ’will include identifying opportunities in the downstream sector,’ so it is hoped this cash injection into the atmosphere will have a far and wide impact on industry and job creation.
Not only is Scottish business well versed in the field, but SDI also proudly boast that space investment in Scotland costs 40 per cent less than it would in the rest of the UK.
It’s not only the capital that is cashing in on the growing market.
Our most populous city, Glasgow, manufactures more satellites than anywhere else in Europe.
Outside of the central belt, Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly Munro, is set to become the perfect place to witness the first launches of the satellites from Space Hub Sutherland.
This spaceport has been years in planning and will be located 4km west of Melness.
The site has the potential to provide high-calibre engineering jobs to the area and is enthusiastically supported by the local community.
This comes all in the same year that Saxavord Space Port in the Shetlands is due to host the Space Agency’s UK pathfinder launch, which will be delivered by Lockheed Martin and ABL Systems.
The days of regular satellite launches from Scottish soil seems to be only around the corner.
As many looked to the stars in the 60s and 70s during the Apollo missions, young Scots will look to go where no Scot has gone before.
For the Scottish space sector, and the young people’s careers that could rocket from it – it’s to infinity and beyond.
Dram-ming up support
Now if you were to ask someone from our neighbouring nations what one of Scotland’s key industries and economy boosting exports is, you’re destined to run into an answer of ‘whisky’ with some haste.
Our internationally renowned golden spirits industry is a huge boost for the nation with the Scotch Whisky Association previously claiming the Scottish whisky industry provided £5.5 billion to the UK economy back in 2020.
The industry also provides tens of thousands of jobs to Scottish workers, particularly in more rural locales such as the Highlands & Islands. With all these pros, it’s no big surprise there’s plenty of interest and support pouring in for some of the Scotch trade’s heavyweights and up-and-comers this early in the year.
One such story this week was from the family-run Kilchoman Distillery located on Islay, who have celebrated a major boost to their production and growth after securing a £22.5 million bank loan from Barclays.
The distillery, which is a major employer on the island, is looking to use the financial boost to produce 40 per cent more whisky over the next twelve months allowing for even more international opportunities for their brand.
Another major development currently maturing in the sector comes from industry giant Ardgowan Distillery, which recently brought on industry veteran Mike Keiller of Bells & Diageo fame, as the chairman of its upcoming flagship ‘carbon negative’ distillery.
The Inverclyde-based business, well known for its malt, will be pushing forward with this ground-breaking new facility with Keiller’s years of expertise blending well into the mix.
With already a fair share of business already ‘dram-ming’ up support and thriving with bold new directions, it appears that 2022 is another year of success brewing for Scotch distillers across the country.
It Made Me Laugh
Hearts of gold from Glasgow butchers
It’s always fantastic to see some great community charity fundraising coming from local business and this week, I’ve spotted a prime cut of generosity from two beloved Glasgow butchers.
George Gilmour, owner of the popular David Cox Quality butchers in Kings Park and Bridgeton, has been raising money for some new defibrillators to be installed outside the stores to help save lives within the community.
The butchers, which celebrated its 50th birthday last year, has been hosting the collection in each of the stores for the past three weeks and is aiming to raise enough money to install the life-saving equipment.
It’s just nice to see a family business that’s been the pillar of the community in Glasgow for years go above and beyond to pay its thanks to that very community with a hearty gesture such as this.
It Made Me Weep
Comic book villains
Over the past few years, more and more Hollywood producers are taking note of Scotland as a prime location to shoot their latest blockbusters.
From Fast & Furious to the recent comic book capers of the Batman filming Scottish cities as their backdrop, it’s brought investment both directly and through tourism to the Scottish economy.
However, I don’t mean to sound like a movie villain when I hear those local businesses have been impacted by the latest bout of fantasy filmmaking in Glasgow.
The crew of Batgirl, currently filming in the city, has been heavily criticised by businesses on King Street after road closures have kept customers away, with one store owner stating that they had to close for a week.
Now, I support seeing Scotland on the big screen, but I feel that more needs to be done to save the day for these smaller, local businesses that may be impacted by blockbuster blockages.
