Highlands and Islands
The Highlands and Islands covers some 15,000 square miles, which is more than half of Scotland’s landmass. It includes more than 90 inhabited islands, but accounts for less than 10% of Scotland’s population.
In 2003, Scottish Union Learning established a dedicated Highlands and Islands team based in Inverness, in recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the predominantly rural, sparsely populated region of the Highlands and Islands in supporting union members in accessing learning.
A priority for the Highlands and Islands team is to encourage Union Learning Reps (ULRs) to work with union members and employers to deliver workplace learning and skills programmes specific to the region, for the benefit of individuals and the economy.
The ULR role is recognised as being the cornerstone of trade union learning. Typically, in the smaller workplaces of the Highlands and Islands, there may be only one ULR, or the ULR may cover several workplaces. Consequently, Scottish Union Learning prioritises support for this crucial role by developing and co-ordinating good practice models of cross-union working and by providing resources for unions, ULRS and learners.
Learning Week - 2026
Scottish Union Learning’s annual Highlands and Islands Week of Learning took place from June 16th to 19th, celebrating work-based learning and skills, and empowering workplace reps across the region.
This year’s programme was our most ambitious yet with 11 learning events delivered over the four days reaching well over 100 learners.
June 16th
Our week kicked-off with an event organised by NUJ H&I project on Memoir Writing, with Meghan Flaherty. Our second event for Tuesday was Feàrna: a workshop for artists living in, as and with the Gàidhealtachd. This was a taster session for a longer programme delivered by Rhona NicDhùghaill & Alice Stillman who helped us understand Gaelic culture with a view to engaging with it more fully.
Tuesday’s final session was Find Your Voice Through Zine Making, hosted by Highland Zine Bothy in Inverness. Zine’s are self-published publications which can be made by anyone and used for a huge range of purposes, including campaigning, marketing, artistic expression and self-development.
June 17th
On Wednesday, UNISON H&I organised an online workshop with Digital Skills Education on How to Critically Engage with AI Tools with specific focus on writing skills.
Later that day UNISON held an in-person event in Inverness to celebrate the achievements of a cohort of social care workers who achieved the SVQ Social Services and Healthcare qualification with support from UNISON H&I and Scottish Union Learning. Bringing workers, employers and learning providers together, the event also served as an inspiration for the new intake of participants who have embarked on the same learning journey in 2026.
The third session for Wednesday, was Are the Kids Okay?, a webinar delivered by Child Psychologist, author and educator, James McTaggart, who took us through some of the reasons why life today might be harder than usual for children and teens. In the second part of the session, James discussed his recent publication, Trauma Informed Practice in Early Years Education, with Catherine Deveney, Journalist, Author and NUJ Learning Organiser in Highlands and Islands
June 18th
Thursday began with an online course organised by UNISON – Understanding Diabetes. Whilst focusing on skills and knowledge for professionals, the session was open to all who were looking to know more about diabetes for work, family or personal reasons. Delivered by Civicos Training, the session was a huge success, and we hope to see it delivered again later in the year.
Our second event on Thursday was an in-person workshop with Show Racism the Red Card – Challenging Racism and Prejudice at Work. Delivered at the Merkinch Centre, the event brought together workers from across Highlands in a wide range of roles to develop skills to support positive engagement in challenging situations to support and protect those most affected by racism and prejudice in workplaces and communities today.
Thursday’s final event was an online Masterclass on Freedom of Information. This NUJ event is for journalistic use of FOI to generate news stories. Organised by NUJ H&I, the event focussed on journalistic use of FOI to generate news stories.
June 19th
We brought our Learning Week to an end with a special in-person panel discussion event in Inverness, Building Inclusive Communities Through Learning, with contributions from Catriona Willis, Educator and Activist, Highland One World, Hannah Clyne, Humanitarian Action and Global Citizenship Officer at CIDA, Elizabeth-Mya Chemonges-Murzynowska, Equity Advocate, Cultural Strategist, Founder and Trustee of ACAMHA, The Highland Council’s Adult Learning service, and facilitated by Craig Finnie, Senior Development Officer at Scottish Trade Union Learning. Over an enjoyable and informative hour, we discussed important strategies and approaches related to workers, communities and adult learning within the context of Global Citizenship. The discussion was recorded and we hope to share it in the form of a podcast soon. Watch this space!
A huge thanks to everyone who took part in our events over the week, as participant, facilitator or organiser.
Look out for our next Union Learning Rep Development Day which will be in September. Details will be going out soon. Have a great Summer in the meantime!
Opportunities for support
We work with unions to increase the number of ULRs in the Highlands and Islands and to establish ULR Forums across the region, which provide opportunities for networking and support, and help sustain cross-union working.
In addition, the annual Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference brings together ULRs from across the north to share experiences of organising union learning and to learn new skills through themed workshops and discussion.
Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands and Islands works closely with local colleges, learning centres and key partners who understand the demographics of the region and share our aims to overcome the potential barriers to learning. We hold an annual Highlands and Islands Partners’ Meeting to engage with our partners and to provide an update on the work of Scottish Union Learning.
SUL Contacts in H&I
- Craig Finnie, Senior Development Officer
- Jennifer Garcia Bree, Funding Officer
