Focus On BEN NEVIS ESTATE

Ben Nevis industrial estate is a place for new businesses to grow and existing businesses to thrive.

Positioned just off the A82 and in the heart of Fort William, more than 300 people are employed within the estate – and it even hosts a boxing club.

Stewart MacLean, who bought 27 of the units since the late 1990s, said the estate has offered businesses a degree of flexibility that was not previously available.

He added: ‘Units start from 250 meters squared and go up to 10,000 meters squared. The smaller ones are suitable for people who are just dipping their toe in the water. And, once they become more established, the businesses have the opportunity to move into a larger premises if they see fit.

‘ Travis Perkins and Vanguard, who moved recently from Claggan, are examples of business who have been able to scale up. It gives me great pleasure to be able to speak to the owners of both local and national companies and see how they are all getting on as many of them have been very successful.’

Looking ahead, Stewart believes businesses in the estate may have an even brighter future, benefiting from increased investment and opportunity, thanks to GFG Alliance becoming the new owners of the nearby aluminium smelter.

He added: ‘From the estate there is access provision for land owned by the smelter. HIE has always said there is potential to develop here and this will no doubt improve infrastructure and interest in the estate, and is something I look forward to talking to the new owners about.’