UHI partnership celebrates five finalists in Herald Education Awards 2026
Staff and projects from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been named as finalists in The Herald Education Awards for Further and Higher Education 2026.
The nominations recognise excellence in marketing, individual achievement and community impact across the partnership.
UHI has been shortlisted for Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year for its ‘Where learning means more campaign’. Developed as a bold, partnership-wide initiative, the campaign highlights the distinctive nature of studying at UHI, where education is closely connected to place, community and opportunity.
Designed to strengthen student recruitment while redefining the university experience, the campaign showcases the deeper value of learning at UHI. Through aspirational storytelling and a strong visual identity, it highlights personalised support, flexible pathways and the real-world impact of courses delivered across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire. A collaborative approach brought together all the UHI partners across our regions to create a unified message, resulting in increased visibility, engagement and growth in applications.
In the Outstanding Contribution from a Staff Member category, two members of the UHI partnership have been recognised.
Christine Primrose MBE from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture and a partner of UHI, has been shortlisted for her exceptional contribution to Gaelic language and culture.
Head of Gaelic Song and a lecturer on the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music course, Christine is one of Scotland’s finest singers and a leading ambassador for Gaelic at home and abroad. With over 40 years in education, she has taught Gaelic song to students of all levels and backgrounds.
Since joining Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1982, she has played a central role in developing Gaelic song teaching. Students on the undergraduate degree programme have benefited from her exceptional expertise and deep cultural knowledge–reflected in the many successful singers she has mentored. Her contribution through teaching, mentoring and inspiration is integral to the college’s identity, success, and future.
Professor Stuart Gibb, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange for UHI North, West and Hebrides, has also been shortlisted for his outstanding contribution. With over 30 years in higher education, including more than two decades at UHI, he has built the Environmental Research Institute from the ground up into an internationally recognised centre for environmental science.
His achievements include world-leading research on water quality and pharmaceutical pollution, co-founding the One Health Breakthrough Partnership, and playing a key role in securing UNESCO World Heritage status for the Flow Country in 2024.
He has supervised over 20 PhD students to completion and is widely credited with shaping a research culture that links scientific excellence with real-world impact, from peatland restoration and cleaner waterways to more sustainable healthcare systems, rooted in Highlands and Islands communities.
UHI North, West and Hebrides and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture and a partner of UHI, have both been named finalists in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category.
UHI North, West and Hebrides has been recognised for its ‘For Peat’s Sake’ peatland research and community engagement programme, led by Professor Roxane Andersen and the Environmental Research Institute. As an anchor institution, its work spans institutional development, regional impact and global connection, including a leading role in securing UNESCO World Heritage status for the Flow Country in July 2024 – the first peatland in the world to receive this recognition.
Over the past decade, the team has hosted 12 international conferences and workshops in Thurso, attracting more than 600 participants and generating an estimated £1 million for local businesses. In partnership with NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION, it has also delivered free, hands-on restoration training, upskilling over 100 learners since 2024 and supporting the growth of green jobs across the north Highlands.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a finalist for its landmark Baile na Cille Bige / Kilbeg Village development – the first new village on the Isle of Skye in over 100 years. Delivered through an innovative partnership with the local authority, the Communities Housing Trust and the private sector, the project provides much-needed affordable housing while building a sustainable, Gaelic-speaking community.
The development includes Ionad Iain Nobail (the Iain Noble Centre) and 17 affordable homes, offering a mix of discounted rent and sale, including family homes, as well as level-access and wheelchair-accessible properties.
Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated colleagues, saying:
“These nominations are a powerful recognition of the impact of the UHI partnership across the regions we serve. From inspiring marketing and public relations that reflects who we are, to outstanding individual contributions and meaningful community projects, they showcase how we deliver education that transforms lives and supports our communities. I am delighted to see this work recognised.”
The awards celebrate excellence and innovation across Scotland’s further and higher education sector. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on Wednesday 20 May.