18 months of GLM’s Highland Office

It seems like only yesterday that I was writing in celebration of the Highland Office’s first Birthday in the midst of lockdown and a whole dose of uncertainty, unknowns and, quite rightly, disappointment at our summer being kyboshed by covid. Today I write as we sit on the edge of a second wave, a shift in restrictions is once again imminent so I’m going to pick some highlights, some reasons to smile and celebrate.

Summer in the Highlands has been spectacular. On a personal level I have had campervan adventures in abundance, got to stay in-amongst spectacular scenery and explore some of what the glorious Highlands and the Moray coast have to offer, taking the slow road.

Through Highland Business Women we have developed a group of wild swimmers – Loch swimming being our preference with weekly swims from Loch Ness to Loch Achility, River Findhorn to Loch Moy. The new-found passion and the friendships that have come through this are certainly worth celebrating! I would never have entered the water if it wasn’t for our covid lockdown so I’m counting this as a 2020 win!

In our first birthday blog I shared some numbers: events attended, people met, miles travelled and indications of our growth. As is to be expected, many of these numbers haven’t changed much despite embracing virtual networking the impact definitely feels reduced.

That said, our vision for the GLM Highland Office remains to bring our brand of building surveying and architecture to the Highlands to help people unlock the huge potential in their buildings and land; to help create sustainable homes and businesses; to work with people to maintain, repair, convert and repurpose their buildings in a truly sustainable way; and to create the opportunity for sharp, talented people to stay in the Highlands and develop their career with us.

Our Highland Team remains in a phase of growth. If you haven’t met Eilidh Walker, Chartered Building Surveyor, yet and would like to then do get in touch with her. She is working between her croft just north of Stornoway, Inverness, and sites for surveys. Drop her an e-mail here. As we head into 2021 the Highland-based team will expand so look out for the announcements around this. We are really excited to continue this growth and bring more to the Highland market.

Ian McKee, GLM’s Managing Director, shared some of his own highlights saying “having always done business across Scotland, establishing a new base was a logical next step. For me the opportunity to combine my passions for rural Scotland, the built environment, and cycling through the most spectacular scenery has been a true win of this move for the business. Bringing sharp insight, imaginative design and creating buildings that stand proud for years to come is our DNA, collaborating, working as a community and creating opportunities both for projects & careers in the Highlands is the added bonus”.

Finally, I am delighted to see the project success we have had this year despite lockdown, planning permissions granted, relationships forged and a steady stream of new enquiries of how our team can help you get the best from your building. A huge thank you to all who have supported, connected and inspired our Highland journey so far.  We’re here to help with your building, your land or your lease so please do get in touch.  If we can assist you in any way or if you just want to meet for a coffee, send me an email, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Hannah Lloyd

Associate Director