NHS Highland

NHS Highland’s catchment area comprises the largest and most sparsely populated part of the UK with all the attendant issues of a difficult terrain, rugged coastline, populated islands and a limited internal transport and communications infrastructure. The area covers 32,518 km² (12,507 square miles), which represents approximately 41% of the Scottish land surface. The geographical nature of the region presents particular challenges for the efficient and effective delivery of health care services.

NHS Highland serves a population of some 299,000 residents ( within the Highland and Argyll & Bute Council boundaries)and sees a proportion of its patients from the influx of tourists to the Highlands, which at certain times of the year can double or even triple the local population.

The Health Service in the Highland area is also a major employer, second only to the local authority in the number of people employed. Again, in business terms, this is of major significance to the Highland economy.

The Highlands of Scotland is characterised by diverse landscapes, low population densities totalling 208,700 approximately 4% of the population of Scotland, a combination of traditional and modern industries and a rich cultural inheritance. Many of the strengths of Scottish tourism are demonstrated powerfully in our area, including our distinctive Highland culture, colourful history, heritage and opportunities for quality recreation within our natural environment. The Highlands of Scotland evoke images of magnificent scenery, with mountains, rivers and lochs, castles, wild and remote open spaces and a very easily identifiable cultural heritage linked to romance and myth.

In all respects, the Highlands of Scotland can be seen as a perfect location in which to live and work. You’ll find shops, restaurants and leisure facilities in abundance, yet the ‘rat race’ feel just doesn’t exist – instead being replaced by a far more relaxed and civilised atmosphere. And even though you’ve probably heard people talk about the scenery in the Highlands a thousand times, you really can’t appreciate it until you’ve seen it. The highest mountains and deepest, longest lochs provide some of the most exhilarating backdrops to be found anywhere, with the number of beaches in the Highlands being a pleasure that most people don’t expect.

With good transportation links via rail, air and road, reaching other parts of Scotland, Britain and the rest of the world isn’t a problem.