Guest speakers announced for UHI North, West and Hebrides' graduation and celebration of achievement ceremonies

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UHI North, West and Hebrides is excited to announce the guest speakers for its graduation and celebration of achievement ceremonies, which will be held in Fort William, Stornoway and Thurso later this month.

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From left to right, Gary Robertson, Margaret Macleod, Struan Mackie.

More than 600 students are celebrating completion of their further education or higher education programme this year, with many due to attend one of the following ceremonies to celebrate alongside staff, friends and family.

Fort William ceremony:

  • Date: Wednesday 18 September
  • Location: The Nevis Centre
  • Guest speaker: Gary Robertson, former Strongman champion and musician. Gary, a senior mechanic with Ferguson Transport and Shipping, has travelled the world as a semi-professional fiddler and was crowned Scotland’s strongest man in 2016. He completed his engineering apprenticeship with UHI and is a proud supporter of the college and university.
  • Mace bearer: Sarah Bruce, former UHI North, West and Hebrides’ curriculum leader.
  • Reception: The Nevis Centre

Stornoway ceremony:

  • Date: Friday 20 September
  • Location: Martin’s Memorial Church
  • Guest speaker: Margaret Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of Harris Tweed Hebrides. Margaret has over 25 years of experience in the textile manufacturing and retail sector and is committed to enhancing the sustainability of the luxury textile brand and supporting traditional crafts in local communities.
  • Mace bearer: Joanna Peteranna, Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Director of Area Operations and chair of UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Local Advisory Committee for the Outer Hebrides.
  • Reception: Stornoway campus

Thurso ceremony:

Date: Wednesday 25 September
Location: St Peters and St Andrews Church
Guest speaker: Struan Mackie, Managing Director of North Point Distillery. Struan is an award-winning entrepreneur recognised for his contributions to sustainable spirit production and the promotion of Scottish produce. He is also the Provost of Thurso and a UHI North, West and Hebrides board member.
Mace bearer: Graham Birnie, chair of UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Local Advisory Committee for the North Highlands.
Reception: The Pentland Hotel

Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said : “We are delighted to welcome our esteemed guest speakers to our graduation ceremonies. Their achievements and dedication to their respective fields and communities will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they embark on their own journeys.”

For more information about each ceremony, visit our graduation webpage.