Our region

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Live your Highland dream

More and more people are choosing to live and work in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Quite simply put, it’s because our region offers you the chance to live your best life, right here.

Whether it's the great outdoors that floats your boat, a ceilidh with your friends that makes your head spin, or even a trip back in time at one of the hundreds of historical sites that makes your heartbeat faster, you can experience it all here. 

You’ve probably already heard that the Highlands and Islands is a stunningly beautiful region. But did you know, the area is also packed with thriving businesses, social enterprises and communities? It's the perfect place to develop the career you want with the lifestyle you deserve.

Explore our region

The Highlands and Islands region is packed full of wonderful places to live, so we'd understand if you haven't quite made your mind up yet. Use our map to explore the region and discover other useful resources that could help you make your move. 

Get help to move to Scotland

Scotland.org is a partnership between Scotland's enterprise agencies, the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and other public sector bodies. It's a fantastic resource and packed with information to support anyone looking to live and work in Scotland. 

Scotland.org

• Argyll and the Islands
• Caithness and Sutherland
• Inner Moray Firth
• Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross
• Moray
• Orkney
• Outer Hebrides
• Shetland

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Scotland's Migration Service

Developed by Scottish Government, Scotland’s Migration Service can help you to move to the Highlands and Islands.

It supports individuals with:

• Practical information about Scottish life and the UK immigration system
• Free advice appointments for individuals on immigration and visas and accessing Scottish services including health, housing and education.

Visit Scotland's Migration Service

The service also supports employers with:

• Free immigration advice appointments on hiring international workers
• Free information and resources on visas and immigration. 

Visit Scotland's Migration Service for employers and investors. 

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Study here

With seven universities in the region and a network of further and higher education institutes, there's no lack of choice when it comes to studying in the Highlands and Islands. 

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. The University is a partnership of 13 independent colleges and research institutions. Each is locally based and rooted in communities but with a national and international reach.

The network offer a diverse range of courses, many that take advantage of the unique environment, landscape and culture that can only be found in the Highlands and Islands.

Visit UHI 

In addition to UHI, the other six universities with a presence in the region are Heriot Watt, University of Aberdeen, SRUC (Scottish Rural College), Glasgow School of Art and Robert Gordon University.   

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Pierre Bonnin is a French/Scottish national living and working in Scotland.

Cristian Pizarro is a Chilean national living and working in Scotland.

Manuel Alvarez-Icaza is a Mexican national living and working in Scotland.

Pamela Looper is a Dutch national living and working in Scotland.

Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski is a Polish national based here

It's easy to make the move

Have a look through our videos to hear from people who've already made the move from across the globe to the Highlands and Islands.