Witherby trust backs rural and island students at UHI
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is celebrating the impact of the Witherby Publishing Group Charitable Trust Scholarships, which for the past three years have been supporting students from rural and island communities across the region to access higher education.
Established by the Witherby Publishing Group Charitable Trust, the scholarships aim to increase confidence and aspiration towards higher education among learners in remote and rural locations. The initiative supports talented individuals who might otherwise face barriers to accessing learning opportunities, while helping to create role models who can inspire young people within their communities.
Since 2023, one new scholarship has been awarded annually to a UHI student enrolled on any higher education course across the UHI partnership. Each recipient receives £3,000 per year for the duration of their studies, for up to four years, a potential total award of £12,000. The first scholarship recipient was Alfie Poole, originally from Uist and now living in Nairn, who is studying BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UHI Inverness.
“I’d like to give a huge thank you to The Witherby Charitable Publishing Group for supporting me throughout my studies. This support has allowed me to prioritise my learning and maintain a healthy balance between study, work and personal time, which has been key to staying motivated and enjoying my studies.”
In 2024, the scholarship was awarded to Katy Primrose, from the Isle of Gometra, who is studying BSc (Hons) Marine Science at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
“The scholarship has opened many opportunities for me within my course. It enabled me to take part in an incredible two-week field trip to the Red Sea and to purchase essential equipment, including a laptop for programming work. Without this support, I would have needed a part-time job, reducing the time I could dedicate to my studies and my roles as a Student Voice Representative for the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association and President of the SAMS Mountaineering and Climbing Club.”
The most recent recipient, awarded in 2025, is Lindsay Treasure, from Beauly, who is studying BA (Hons) Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands with UHI Inverness.
“I am so grateful to be awarded this scholarship and wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Witherby Publishing Group Charitable Trust. The scholarship will of course be enormously helpful financially, enabling me to buy core textbooks and now I know that I can attend the course residential in March, but it is also much more. This is an affirmation that someone else has seen potential in my work and is prepared to support me on my journey. This means so much as a mature student returning to formal studies for the first time in decades, and so I just want to say thank you again for believing in me.”
Stephanie Strother, Advancement Manager at UHI, added:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Witherby Publishing Group Charitable Trust for their continued support. This financial assistance makes a significant difference to our students and highlights how vital access to learning opportunities at any age is across the Highlands and Islands.”
The scholarships were inspired by Iain Macneil, owner and CEO of Witherby Publishing Group, following his award of an honorary doctorate from UHI in 2022. He said:
“Having been brought up in the islands and now living in the Highlands, I have seen first-hand the real impact that UHI makes in providing access to further education and continued development of skills, regardless of the age of the applicant.
The work UHI undertakes, particularly in rural communities, combined with an emphasis that it is never too late to learn further skills to benefit yourself (and the community) is definitely a cause that our charitable trust has been delighted to support.”
The trust will support the three existing recipients for the remainder of their studies and provides additional funding through the Rural and Islands Bursary Fund, which provides financial assistance to UHI students from rural and isolated communities across the Highlands and Islands.
Eligible students can apply for up to £1,000 to help meet specific study-related costs they might otherwise be unable to afford. The fund will support at least 10 students, and the closing date for applications is 31 October 2026.
More information and eligibility details are available at: Rural and Islands Bursary Fund