A Better Future Quicker: Scottish Power Renewables and the Race to Net Zero
2021-05-24 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | Online-only Event
Engineering Scotland
INVITATION: THE ROAD AHEAD INNOVATION LECTURE 2021
Monday 24th May – Online – Commencing at 18:00
A Better Future Quicker: Scottish Power Renewables and the Race to Net Zero
With Lindsay McQuade,
CEO ScottishPower Renewables
Webinar Hosted online by University of Strathclyde

Health & Safety aspects of Controlled Collapse Demolition
2021-06-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Online-only Event
Online joint meeting between IOSH Highlands & Islands branch and IOSH Construction Group.
All welcome to this presentation by Bob Johnstone, MD of Keltbray Decommissioning.
A development of last year’s successful CPDC James Attwood Shield lecture by the same speaker.
Focussing on the health and safety aspects which underpin all such risk management challenges.
Free registration available on https://iosh.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAscO2urDotHd0g0qMJ9eO58FFWYWAQouiS

CIHT-Future of Transport - Road Safety: A Vision to 2030
2021-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Online-only Event
Speaker – George Henry, National Operations Manager for Road Safety Policy & Education, Transport Scotland
CIHT is proud to announce the 6th webinar in the Future of Transport event series.
This 1-hour lunchtime webinar will cover Scotland’s road safety framework to 2030, outline the approach Transport Scotland is taking and how it ties in with the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and indicators.
This webinar is open to CIHT members, CIHT partners, and non-members to join.
We are offering an early bird rate of 50% off all bookings made before 5 July. Please make sure you book in advance to take full advantage of this heavily discounted rate. (Early bird -Non-member £18; CIHT Member £6
*BOOK A PLACE*

CIHT-Developing Places for Electric Vehicles
2021-07-16 12:00 - 13:30 | Online-only Event
Led by the Joint Nations Group made up of CIHT Cymru Wales, CIHT Northern Ireland, CIHT Scotland and CIHT Republic of Ireland. This webinar looks at the development of electric vehicle infrastructure across the nations. It will include presentations from all speakers as well as a Q&A session.
Speakers
Helen Westhead -Associate at Arup
David Strain – Transport Policy & Climate Change at Department for Infrastructure, Belfast
Dr John McCarthy – Leader of Intelligent Mobility at Arup
Fraser Crichton – Corporate Fleet Manager at Dundee City Council
This year the UK Government confirmed its plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and continue to invest in electric vehicles as the future of travel. Additionally, the Republic of Ireland government have committed to a target of 1 million electric vehicles on roads by 2030. With these deadlines now being only 9 years away, there is a push for new infrastructure to provide the support needed for electric vehicles.

*BOOK A PLACE*

Climate Change events- CPDC-HI Members' discussion
2021-08-17 12:00 - 13:00
With the COP Summit coming up in Glasgow in November, CPDC Members from all our 12 Institutions are invited to join online discussion of the Issues, and what events/actions CPDC-HI may stimulate.
Di9scussion will be assisted by an Energy Consultant in north Scotland
Please email admin@cpdc-hi.co.uk for an invitation to join the discussion at 12.00 17th August

Making NPF4 work for Scotland's diverse regions
2021-09-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Online-only Event
With Scotland’s widely varied geographical locations, how will National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) ensure diverse regions can benefit?
Main speaker
Fiona Simpson, Interim Chief Planner, Planning & Architecture Scottish Government
Fiona will provide progress update on NPF and views on implications and highlights on H&I Region.
Regional Speakers:
Gary Knox, Dundee City Council
Ann-Marie Gauld, NatureScot
Dr. Carey Doyle, Community Land Scotland
Alastair Nicolson, Highlands & Island Enterprise
Each Regional Speaker will provide a geographical and work-related perspective on their own urban and rural areas, including their specific interests – diverse areas and expertise.
This online event is free but booking is essential via the link provided in order to receive joining details.

CIHT - Transport Planning for COP26
2021-09-29 12:30 - 13:30
CIHT Scotland are hosting a webinar providing an overview of the COP26 Transport Plan. Don’t miss your chance to hear from speakers directly involved in putting together and delivering the Plan.
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.
COP26 Transport Planning aims to deliver a safe, secure and resilient transport network to the event, providing a first-class delegate experience, with public transport at its core.
The scale of the event is unprecedented in Scotland and the UK and a Travel Demand Management Programme has been developed. This event will provide an overview of the COP26 Transport Plan.

Who is the event for?

This event is open to both members and non-members of CIHT. It will be of particular interest to those involved in traffic management, transport planning and those based in Scotland with an interest in learning more about COP26.

Speakers
Nicola Blaney, Head of Events Resilience, Transport Scotland
Nicola is a Chartered Civil Engineer with a broad range of experience covering the full life cycle of the transport system. She has specific expertise in Major Events planning and operations, having had involvement in 2012 London Olympics, 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2020 Euros.
Nicola is currently the Scotland Chair for the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).

Mairi Joyce, Project Principal, Mott MacDonald
Mairi is a Chartered Transport Planning Professional (CTTP) passionate about working with partners and communities to create sustainable and effective transport planning solutions.

Improved Driving (IOSH)
2021-10-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Online-only Event
This online session will cover ScORSA’s current campaigns + Tips to improve driving skills, managing road-based conflicts, driving in the Highlands, speeding, distractions & frustration.
The Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA) was created to raise awareness of managing occupational road risk and to promote occupational road safety within Scotland through promoting the positive benefits of risk management.
ScORSA brings together employers, trade unions, local authorities, emergency services, safety organisations, professional and trade associations.
Presented by Dr. Karen McDonnell, past President of IOSH.
This IOSH Highlands & Islands Branch meeting is also open to non-members.
Pre-registration is essential via this link: https://iosh.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErc-ygrDgpGdW1C03myazIHSWESRdUP_sA

(CIHT) - Virtual Site Visit - A9 Luncarty to Pass of Birnam
2021-10-26 12:30 - 13:30
This event offers the opportunity to learn more about the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project from the early stages of development and throughout its construction.
Join us as we look at the challenges and innovation used on the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam site and share some of the successes including the project’s award winning community benefit programme.
Who is the event for?
This event is open to all members and non-members but it is particularly aimed at early career professionals as well as those studying transport related topics and anyone with an interest in construction methodologies.
Speakers

Gemma Patterson, Project Sponsor, Transport Scotland
Chris Hutt, Project Manager, Jacobs
Alan Brisbane, Contract Manager, Balfour Beatty
Russell T Smith, Designer’s Site Representative (DSR), Atkins

Safety Matters – CROSS update Online Presentation (IStrE)
2021-10-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Online-only Event
Safety Matters – CROSS update
26th Oct 2021 6:00pm
Alastair Soane, BSc PhD CEng FICE FIStructE,
Principal Consultant, CROSS
CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures) helps professionals to make structures safer. They do this by publishing safety information based on the reports they receive and information in the public domain. You can find out more about CROSS here: www.cross-safety.org.
This presentation from CROSS will help you learn more about their work, including the latest safety issues on their horizon. Keeping up to date with CROSS is important CPD for anyone with an interest in, or responsibility for, fire safety or structural safety.

Alastair Soane is a founding member of CROSS where he is now a Consultant and member of the CROSS Technical Board. Alastair is responsible for introducing CROSS in Australasia, and the USA. He was previously CEO of a consulting firm he has extensive experience on major building and structural projects in the UK and internationally. Winner of a Sir Arnold Walters Medal, a Lewis Kent Award and a President’s Award from the Institution of Structural Engineers. Author of numerous publications and visiting professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Liverpool. Past President of the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers.

Free • All welcome • Recommended for 1 hour CPD

Register via Workcast- https://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=5996940993625661

(POSTPONED to 25th Jan 2022) Professor James Attwood Memorial Lecture 2021
2021-11-02 08:00 - 17:00
This Event at Inverness Town House and hosted by CIHT, is POSTPONED to 25th January 2022

Green Hydrogen Projects (IOSH)
2021-11-11 15:00 - 16:30 | Online-only Event
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd has expanded from wave and tidal generation to include green hydrogen R&D production.
The talk will describe the hydrogen path EMEC has taken and a sample of the many hydrogen projects ongoing at present.
Online webinar presentation by Jonathan Lindsay –
Currently the Operations & Technology Director at EMEC, Jonathan is an experienced Manager and Subsea Engineer who worked in the oil and gas industry for 25 years before moving to marine renewable energy full time in 2017. Jonathan has worked in multinational companies such as McDermott Inc and Wood Group as well as smaller consultancies in the UK. Jonathan also chairs the BSi Steering Committee overseeing UK input to IEC Wave & Tidal Energy standards.
This IOSH Highlands & Islands Branch meeting is also open to members of the Energy Institute and also free to any interested non-members wishing to attend. Pre-registration is essential on: https://iosh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f_ljv37HRAeYdUkWqUS3kA

(I StrE) COP26 Fringe Event Sustainability in the Built Environment: Panel Discussion
2021-11-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Online-only Event
Structural engineers are the professionals charged with the efficient use of materials such as concrete, steel and timber, and since 2019 the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has been working to put sustainability on a par with its enduring commitment to safety.
The IStructE Scottish Regional Group invite you to an open panel discussion on sustainability in the built environment, ongoing activities across the industry, and the impact of this year’s COP26 conference. We have assembled a renowned panel of speakers – each a leading figure in their field.
This wide-ranging discussion will address topical sustainability questions such as:
• How will the construction industry change in the next few years?
• What is happening across the materials production industries?
• How do we encourage more re-use of existing buildings and infrastructure?
• What can a built environment professional do differently at work tomorrow?
Questions will also be taken from the audience throughout the evening. The event will take place in Glasgow during the COP26 conference. We would love to see you in person, but you can also join online if you can’t attend in person. This is a great opportunity to be part of the discussion on sustainability – why not join us?
Online and in-person event – find out more – Sustainability in structural engineering: Panel discussion – The Institution of Structural Engineers (istructe.org)

(IStrE) -A COP26 Fringe Event Sustainability in Structural Engineering: CPD Seminar
2021-11-12 13:30 - 18:00
The Scottish Regional Group are very pleased to bring you an afternoon of climate emergency related CPD, led by industry leaders, and grouped under four main topics:
• How to calculate embodied carbon
• Strategies for low-carbon structures
• Reusing existing buildings, even when no-one’s asked you to
• New buildings for people and planet
This event will qualify for 4 hours CPD.
Programme
13.30 Registration
14.00 Introduction
14.10 How to calculate embodied carbon
15.00 Strategies for low carbon structures
15.50 Break
16.20 Re-using existing buildings
17.05 New building design
17.55 Close
Speakers
Dr John Orr, MIStructE
John is an EPSRC Early Career Fellow and University Lecturer in Concrete Structures at the University of Cambridge, where his teaching and research are related to sustainable construction, with emphasis placed on concrete and structural optimisation. He co-authored the IStructE guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon’ in 2020.
Dr Natasha Watson
Natasha is a practising Senior Structural Engineer at Buro Happold. Alongside her design work, she also consults on embodied carbon and other impacts of building materials and structural designs. She is part of Buro Happold’s Urban C:Lab project, with research interests including emergent disruption in the built environment.
Steve Fernandez, FIStructE
Steve is an Associate Director at Arup, where he is also the firm’s UK leader for Buildings Retrofit. Steve leads multidisciplinary teams and has worked on a variety of projects across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. Steve is a Conservation Accredited Engineer and a Fellow of the institution.
Will Arnold MIStructE
Will is Head of Climate Action at the Institution of Structural Engineers. He leads the institution’s response to the climate emergency, bringing this action into all aspects of its activities, including the publication of best-practice emergency guidance. Prior to this role, he worked as a practising structural engineer at Arup for 10 years.

Location
University of Strathclyde, The Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD
View on Google Maps

Price
Members ticket price – £100 (VAT exempt)
Non-members ticket price – £125 (VAT exempt

CIHT- The M74 Motorway: A History
2021-11-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Online-only Event
Speaker
Stuart Baird, Chair, The Glasgow Motorway Archive
Stuart is a Chartered Engineer and is currently M8 Bridge Manager at Transport Scotland. He’s held various roles, mostly relating to structures, across the Scottish motorway and trunk road networ
Discover the fascinating history behind Scotland’s longest motorway, the M74.
The M74 is of strategic importance to Scotland, providing a vital link between the central belt and the rest of the UK. A road has existed in the same corridor since Roman times, but in little over 80 years in the 20th century, it was transformed from a single track trail to a multi-lane motorway. Discover why in this revealing glimpse into the history of Scotland’s longest motorway. Illustrated with previously unseen images from the Glasgow Motorway Archive.

CIHT- Cycling by Design
2022-01-13 17:00 - 18:30 | Online-only Event
The fully revised and updated Cycling by Design guidance has recently been published by Transport Scotland.
The document is a major development from previous versions, reflecting modern best practice and supporting the National Transport Strategy, seeking to encourage greatly increased cycle use through better, safer and more inclusive infrastructure. With increased commitment by national and local governments to provide attractive active and sustainable travel options, the document is set to become a key resource for designers in the coming years.
The document has been developed and will continue to be overseen by a Steering Group comprising SCOTS, Sustrans and Transport Scotland, supported by Jacobs. The Steering Group will host an evening CPD webinar on Thursday 13 January, presented by Andrew Kelly and Alan Oliver of Jacobs. This will present background to changes, key messages, and significant details and processes to be followed in design delivery.

Professor James Attwood Memorial Lecture 2021 -"Railing Against Climate Change"
2022-01-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Online-only Event
Venue: Now Online
(We regret Inverness Town House is no longer available due to Covid restrictions)
Speaker: Frank Roach
– HITRANS Partnership Manager
Railing Against Climate Change
A personal look into the crystal ball at 2045 to see how the railway has adapted to the challenges of net zero and how it has impacted on people’s lives in the Highlands.
One thing remains- it will still be 4ft8 1/2 inch gauge; the rest is up for grabs. What will frequencies and journey time be like? Will the network still be manned? Is your journey really necessary? One thing is for sure: if Covid had never happened it would have been much harder to imagine.
Please Book for Event Here
The Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation is hosting this deferred 2021 event
The Annual ‘Professor James Attwood Memorial Lecture’ is hosted by the 13 member organisations of CPDC-Highlands and Islands, on a rotational basis
It will commence online at 6pm and feature a Q&A session with the speaker towards the end of the evening.
(We are sorry safety considerations required moving the evening online, rather than live at Inverness Town House}
This event is open to all members of CPDC organisations and also to the General Public.

CPD Seminar - Retaining Structures
2022-03-08 13:30 - 17:30 | Online-only Event
Retaining structures are a feature of most construction projects to achieve differences in levels and maximise developable space. They come in many forms and the Engineer must select the most appropriate retaining solution given the development requirements and site constraints. Development of the second generation of Eurocodes is now well underway and will bring major changes to geotechnical design, including the design of retaining structures. This seminar will cover key aspects of retaining wall design to the existing and new Eurocode 7, including:

Selection of retaining wall types
Basis of design of retaining structures
Design of semi-gravity retaining walls
Design of embedded retaining structures (such as secant and contiguous piled walls)

There will be an interval half way through the afternoon and the seminar will conclude with an opportunity for delegate to ask the speaker questions in relation to retaining wall selection and design.

This seminar is recommended for all structural engineers involved in the design, specification, or SER certification of retaining walls. This seminar is recommended for 4 hours CPD.

CPD Seminar - Piled Foundations
2022-03-15 13:30 - 17:30 | Online-only Event
Piled foundations can enable new buildings and structures to be developed on sites with poor ground conditions. Development of the second generation of Eurocodes is now well underway and will bring major changes to geotechnical design, including the design of piled foundations. This seminar will cover key aspects of the design of piled foundations to the existing and new Eurocode 7, including:

Pile classification
The role of testing in pile design
Treatment of downdrag and combined load cases
Analysis of pile groups and piled rafts

There will be an interval half way through the afternoon and the seminar will conclude with an opportunity for delegates to ask the speaker questions in relation to piled foundation selection and design.

This seminar is recommended for all structural engineers involved in the design, specification, or SER certification of piled foundations. This seminar is recommended for 4 hours CPD.

James Attwood Memorial Lecture, November 2022: The challenges of decommissioning the Dounreay site and readying it for future use
2022-11-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Town House, Inverness, High Street, Inverness, IV1 1JJ, United Kingdom
This event is part of a series of annual lectures presented by CPDC-HI, in memory of one of its founding members, the late Professor James Attwood, OBE, FCIOB who gave the first lecture in 1988. The member institutions of the group take it in turn to organise the event and in 2022 it is the Royal Town Planning Institute’s turn.
Adreain Gill – Head, Interim Endstate Delivery at Dounreay Site Restoration Limited, will provide background to the Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment, before focussing on the challenges of decommissioning the site and readying it for future use. Following this there will be opportunity for delegates to ask questions.
Inverness Town House is at the corner of Castle Street and High Street, Inverness – ///statue.nation.storm
We are very grateful to our event sponsor this year, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited.
Refreshments and light buffet will be available upon arrival from 6:30pm with the formal proceedings beginning at 7pm.
The event is open to all and free to attend, but booking is essential via the link.
If you have any particular accessibility or dietary requirements, please let us know when submitting your booking request and we will try to accommodate these.
The event organisers are hoping to make available a recording of the event – details will be announced when available. Please note: the event will not be livestreamed.

CIOB - HSE Update from CDMM (UK)
2023-02-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Inverness Golf Club, Culcabock Rd, Inverness, IV2 3XQ, United Kingdom
Graeme Collard, Director Health and Safety Services will give an
update on the current construction, design and management
regulations and will be on hand to answer any questions you have
on health and safety in construction.
Topics covered –
How not to get enforced against
* Trends in construction enforcement
* What goes wrong on construction sites
CDM overview –
* What are your responsibilities
* What are other people’s responsibilities

CIOB Breakfast Seminar - Affects of Damp & Timber Decay and Remediation
2023-04-20 08:30 - 22:00 | Inverness Golf Club, Culcabock Rd, Inverness, IV2 3XQ, United Kingdom
Grab a cuppa and get involved in this CPD and networking event being held at Inverness Golf Club in conjunction with HIAA.

Join us for this breakfast CPD and networking event in partnership with HIAA – Affects of Damp & Timber Decay ad Remediation.
Grab yourself a tea/coffee and breakfast roll and enjoy the presentations by Alder Building Surveyors and Oblanders Architects.

Speakers –
Pat McLellan, Alder Specialist Building Surveyors
Catriona Hill, Oberlanders Architects

Timings –
08.30 – 09.00 Breakfast & Networking
09.00 – 09.45 Presentations
09.45 – 10.00 Q&A

Members gain 3 CIOB CPD points if you reflect on your learning from this activity.
Contact
Lynne Peacock
Member Services and Events Coordinator – North and Highland & Islands
lpeacock@ciob.org.uk

CIOB Legal Seminar with Ledingham Chalmers
2023-06-08 14:00 - 17:30 | Kingsmills Hotel, Culcabock Road, Inverness, IV2 3LP
Hot topics in Construction Law hosted by Ledingham Chalmers – Your legal issues answered!

Ledingham Chalmers will be your hosts at this CIOB Highlands & Islands Legal Workshop running on Thursday 8 June 2023.
We promise this won’t be a dry session focused solely on legal theory. Instead, the team, including construction lawyers Sarah Stuart and Jennifer Young, will use real-life, “hot topic” examples to show where these legal principles fit in, in practice: offering straightforward, sensible advice for those working in the sector.
They’ll draw on the expertise of Inverness-based colleagues specialising in health and safety, property, and employment law to work through examples including —

project delays and interruptions (what happens when there’s an interdict?)
which contract mechanisms help — and which don’t — and how best to use them when it comes to delays and payment
what does the Building Safety Act 2022 mean in Scotland?
what about the changes to the law of prescription — when do claims become time-barred?
are collateral warranties construction contracts? — and why does that matter anyway?

If you sign up by 1 May, you’ll have the chance to pose any legal issues that are on your mind ahead of time, and we’ll try to incorporate the answers (anonymously) into the session.
You’ll also be able to quiz our panel of experts on the day.
Members gain 3 CIOB CPD points if you reflect on your learning from this activity.

Contact
Lynne Peacock
Member Services and Events Coordinator – North and Highland & Islands
lpeacock@ciob.org.uk

James Attwood Memorial Lecture, November 2023: The Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport
2023-11-23 18:30 - 21:30 | Town House, Inverness, High Street, Inverness, IV1 1JJ, United Kingdom
The speaker will be Mr Calum MacPherson, Chief Executive Officer of the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Limited
The Lecture will take place in the Town House in Inverness on 23rd November 2023, at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
This event is part of a series of annual lectures presented by the Continuing Professional Development in Construction (Highland and Islands) group, in memory of one of its founding members, the late Professor James Attwood, OBE, FCIOB who gave the first lecture in 1988. The member institutions of the group take it in turn to organise the events and for this The Royal Instituion of Charterd Sureveyors are sponsoring this event.
Free tickets are available via the Website link shown below

CIOB Highlands & Islands - The Clerks of Works & NEC Supervisor Role
2024-01-18 08:30 - 10:00 | Inverness Golf Club, Culcabock Rd, Inverness, IV2 3XQ, United Kingdom
Grab your place – Thursday 18th January – 8.30am
Join us for this breakfast CPD with Ewan MacGregor of Helica Ltd
who will provide an introduction and background on the role of the
Clerk of Works and the NEC Supervisor role.
The H&I committee will be on hand too – Come say hello, grab a breakfast roll, a cuppa!

CIOB WEBINAR - Building Standards Hub Pilot - Recent changes to regulations!
2024-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Online-only Event
Alan McAulay MRICS BSc(HONS), Building Standards Hub Director
Alan is a Director of the Scottish Building Standards Hub. The role of the Hub, which is currently in its pilot stage, is to support Local Authority verifiers and wider industry stakeholders to strengthen the overall building standards system in Scotland. Alan is a chartered building surveyor with 34 years’ experience within the building standards system in Scotland having previously worked for Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire Council. Alan also provides technical support to Local Authority Building Standards Scotland, this includes providing advice and guidance to Local Authorities and other stakeholders on technical and procedural building standards related matters.
Topic:
Alan will provide an update on the Building Standards Hub Pilot programme, its aims, and objectives, and how it will seek to support verifiers and wider industry stakeholders, with a focus on the interests of CIOB members. He will also provide an update on recent changes to the building regulations and what changes are on the horizon for the future.
Followed by a Q&A session.

James Attwood Memorial Lecture, 13 November 2024: What is the 'Highland Problem' of 2024?
2024-11-13 18:45 - 20:45 | UHI Inverness Lecture Theatre, UHI Inverness, 1 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, United Kingdom
6.45 pm for Teas/Coffee. Main event 7.10 pm
Sixty years ago the Highlander was the ‘man on Scotland’s conscience’. Then the solution to the Highland Problem was to induce the movement of labour out of, and not the movement of capital into, the region. Today, there is forecast £110 bn of investment over the next thirty years, the Highland Problem looks somewhat different.
Today’s communities struggle to recruit and retain key workers and services. Long established sectors restrict growth because they can’t recruit. The renewables sector, critical to Scotland’s future economic fortunes, could bring thousands of highly skilled long-term jobs and workers to the Highlands and Islands. But, has nowhere to house them.
If we want our communities to benefit from this massive transformation, we must ensure new people come, and these new people bring their families and stay. So how do we make sure we build the right houses, in the right places, in the right timescales?
The Speaker
Ailsa Raeburn is Chair Community Land Scotland, the national organisation that speaks on behalf of and advocates for community landownership and land reform. She also sits on the Boards of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Crown Estate Scotland.
Ailsa is passionate about supporting communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership of local land, buildings and natural resources. This includes access to affordable and accessible housing for families and working age people which in many parts of the Highlands and Islands is severely constraining economic and community growth.

Attwood Lecture 2025: Inverness Castle Transformation
2025-11-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Town House, Inverness, High Street, Inverness, IV1 1JJ, United Kingdom
An introduction to this transformational refurbishment project by Stuart MacKellar of LDN Architects, highlighting the architectural design considerations to meet the client aspirations and the various main elements to the design proposals. Ben Adam, Narro Project Director and CARE Engineer, will then present the structural implications of the key interventions, including the challenges faced by the design team and contractor to make them a reality.
Join us for the annual James Attwood Memorial Lecture, organised this year by the Institute of Civil Engineers – Highlands and Islands, with Q&A and networking opportunity.

Wellbeing Within Construction (virtual event)
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Online-only Event
IOSH Highlands & Islands
This session delves into the challenges faced by the construction industry – from the complexities of remote working and demanding long hours to the growing concern of workforce isolation.
Drawing on his experience as an Army Commando and over 13 years in construction, Mick shares his personal journey into health and wellbeing and why it became such a passion. He reflects on the strong parallels between the military and construction sectors, both built on teamwork, resilience, and shared purpose, and how lessons from one can strengthen the other. With honesty and authenticity, Mick discusses the people at the heart of the industry, highlighting common struggles, success stories, and setbacks.
Attendees will gain insight into practical approaches for improving wellbeing, connection and support across construction teams.
For more information and to register please click the link below.
This free, online event is open to members and non-members of IOSH.

Electrical Arc Flash Hazard Management in Industry
2026-03-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Kingsmills Hotel, Culcabock Road, Inverness, IV2 3LP
The Electricity at Work Regulations call out a number of hazards that could cause injury or death when working around electricity. Some, like electric shock, are generally well understood and managed, but can the same be said about electrical arc flash? How well is this hazard understood, recognised and managed in electrical equipment operational throughout industry? This event will cover the basics of what the electrical arc hazard is, where it might be encountered, how it can be risk assessed.
Speakers: Calum Martin, Nick Bramhall
