Drew Hendry’s Purposeful Leadership – Inverness Castle
Drew Hendry played a crucial role in redeveloping Inverness Castle as Leader of the Highland Council from 2012 to 2015. He reached out to the late Right Honourable Alex Salmond, the former First Minister, to help open the castle. The Inverness Justice Centre was vital in repurposing the castle, with funding from the Scottish Government.
Hendry saw the castle’s potential as a tourist attraction. He co-chaired the Inverness Castle Working Group with Fergus Ewing MSP, the Tourism Minister at the time. This group aimed to find sustainable uses for the castle after the Sheriff Court moved (Highland Council).
Under Hendry’s leadership, the working group requested a feasibility study. This study aimed to explore future uses for the castle complex. Their goal was to improve public access and enhance the cultural and economic value for Inverness and the wider Highlands. One key proposal was to turn the North Tower into a public viewing platform for panoramic city views. The Inverness Common Good Fund gave money to kick off this project and aid broader redevelopment (Highland Council).
Hendry stressed that Inverness Castle should shift from a courthouse to a landmark. This change would highlight its history and attract both locals and tourists. He urged prompt action, stating the project was “not just about a viewing platform.” It aimed to “realise an ambition for many people about improving access to the castle” (Inverness Courier).
Hendry stepped down as Council Leader in 2015 to become an MP. His efforts helped transform Inverness Castle into a cultural and tourism hub.
The Justice Centre had its official opening on 30 March 2020. Scotland now has its first purpose-built facility for integrated justice services. This centre includes the Sheriff Court, Justice of the Peace Court, and the Procurator Fiscal’s office. It also partners with Police Scotland, NHS Highland, and Victim Support Scotland.
Construction began in 2017, led by Robertson Northern through the SCAPE Scotland framework. The project brought in more than £9 million in community benefits. This includes £1 million saved through value engineering (SCAPE).
The Justice Centre is essential for the region’s judicial system. It helps turn Inverness Castle
Drew Hendry’s Purposeful Leadership – Inverness West Link
ments made by the public to the Inverness West Link consultations and the sports hub/golf course realignment.” (Highland Council)
Addressing Controversy and Ensuring Transparency
Some community members opposed choosing Option Six for the route. This option crossed green space at Canal Park. There were concerns about developer influence. Hendry defended the council’s decision-making process, highlighting its transparency and broad support: (BBC)
“The solution was chosen through a very comprehensive and extensive process. It was unanimously supported by 16 members of an all-party working group, by the 26 members of the City of Inverness Committee, the 22 members of the TEC Services Committee, and then the 80 members of the Highland Council.” (Highland Council)
Legacy and Long-Term Impact
Hendry’s leadership was crucial in moving the West Link project forward. The designers planned to build it in phases. Stage 2 began in June 2019, adding a second bridge over the Caledonian Canal to improve traffic flow. The project has enhanced Inverness’s infrastructure, spurred economic growth, and improved life for residents. (Highland Council)
Drew Hendry showed his commitment to building infrastructure, engaging the community, and ensuring clear governance with his work on the Inverness West Link. He left a lasting impact on the city’s connectivity and development.
Drew Hendry’s Purposeful Leadership – Inverness City Region Deal
Drew Hendry has been instrumental in the conception and realisation of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering economic growth and infrastructure development across the Highlands.(Highland Council)
Early Advocacy and Strategic Vision
During his tenure as Leader of The Highland Council, Hendry championed the pursuit of a City-Region Deal, recognising its potential to catalyse regional development. In March 2015, he expressed optimism about the transformative impact such a deal could have, stating, “This is something much wider than just benefiting Inverness. A city-region deal could transform the Highlands” .(Highland Council)
Securing the Deal
Hendry’s persistent advocacy culminated in the formal signing of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal in January 2017. The agreement secured a £315 million investment package, comprising £135 million from the Scottish Government, £127 million from The Highland Council and its partners, and £53 million from the UK Government . This funding was earmarked for projects aimed at enhancing digital connectivity, infrastructure, housing, and skills development across the region.(Highland Council, GOV.UK)
Continued Leadership and Oversight
Even after transitioning to his role as Member of Parliament for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch, and Strathspey, Hendry remained actively involved in regional development initiatives. He chaired the Inverness Futures Group, which collaborates with stakeholders to shape the city’s long-term strategic vision, aligning with the objectives of the City-Region Deal .(Highland Council, Highland Council)
Hendry’s vision and persistence underscored his dedication to ensuring that the investments secured through the City-Region Deal yield tangible benefits for communities throughout the Highlands.
Drew Hendry’s Purposeful Leadership – Science Skills Academy
Drew Hendry played a key role in creating and developing the Science Skills Academy (SSA) in the Highlands. This initiative seeks to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and create job opportunities for young people in the community.
Strategic leadership and vision
As Leader of The Highland Council, Hendry was crucial in launching the SSA concept. In 2014, he led a team with members from Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and more. This group focused on training a new generation of skilled workers in IT, life sciences, and engineering. They especially aimed to encourage more women to enter these fields. (Caithness Business, Highland Council)
Hendry stressed the SSA’s role in changing education and training across the Highlands and Islands. He said, “This is a hugely imaginative and exciting development. Together with our partners, we will work to co-ordinate and deliver a whole range of positive impacts.” (Highland Council, Caithness Business)
Infrastructure and Outreach
Under Hendry’s guidance, the Inverness Campus will host the SSA. It will use advanced technology to establish digital connections with communities. The project involves making Newton Rooms. These are bright, modern spaces where students learn from excited STEM experts. These rooms take inspiration from the Norwegian Newton Rooms model. They aim to give all Highland schools equal access to STEM. (Caithness Business, scienceskillsacademy.co.uk)
Funding and Partnerships
The SSA got strong backing, like a £400,000 grant from the SSE Highland Sustainable Development Fund. This funding aims to boost science and technology in Highland schools. This funding aimed to roll out the Highland CREST programme in primary and secondary schools. It will be coordinated from the new Science Academy hub at Inverness Campus. (uhi.ac.uk)
The SSA got support from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. In January 2017, they committed £3 million to help the programme. (Caithness Business)
Ongoing impact and recognition
Many have praised Hendry’s work on the SSA. Councillor Andrew Baxter, Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee, noted Hendry’s key early contributions to the project. (Highland Council)
The SSA plays an important role in bringing together STEM activities in the Highlands. It also helps attract more STEM employers. It seeks to boost youth involvement in life sciences, renewable energy, and digital tech. This will help the region’s economy grow. (Caithness Business)
Drew Hendry has made a big difference in STEM education and career paths for young people in the Highlands through his strong leadership. His efforts help ensure the region is ready for future workforce needs.
Drew Hendry’s Purposeful Leadership – Gigabit City
Drew Hendry played a central role in the initiative to transform Inverness into a ‘Gigabit City’, championing the deployment of full-fibre broadband to enhance digital infrastructure across the Highlands.
Strategic Leadership and Advocacy
In 2016, as Member of Parliament for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Hendry launched a campaign to establish Inverness as Scotland’s next Gigabit City. He underscored the critical importance of high-speed internet for economic development. He argued that robust digital connectivity was essential for attracting investment, driving innovation, and creating jobs in the region (Holyrood).
Formation of the Steering Group
Hendry was instrumental in setting up the Gigabit City steering group, working with key stakeholders including CityFibre, Capita, and The Highland Council. This group played a key role in securing a £9.5 million contract under the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) programme. The investment aimed to connect more than 150 public sector sites—such as schools, hospitals, and libraries—in Inverness, Fort William, Thurso, and Wick to a state-of-the-art full-fibre network (ISPreview).
Economic Impact and Network Rollout
CityFibre, supported by Hendry’s advocacy, proceeded with a substantial infrastructure build-out in Inverness. The project delivered over 400 km of full-fibre cabling, reaching more than 28,000 homes and covering 90% of residential properties. This positioned Inverness as one of the best-connected cities in the UK (Inverness Courier).
A report by economic consultancy Hatch forecast that this digital transformation would result in over £100 million in productivity and innovation gains, and increase local property values by £46 million—demonstrating the scale of the project’s long-term economic benefits (Inverness Courier).
Commitment to Digital Inclusion
Hendry also consistently emphasised the importance of extending digital benefits to rural and remote communities. He took part in efforts to align with government programmes such as Project Gigabit to ensure wider access to reliable, high-speed internet across the Highlands (UK Parliament).
Through his leadership and persistent advocacy, Drew Hendry contributed significantly to placing Inverness—and the broader Highland region—at the forefront of the UK’s digital infrastructure development.