Students honoured at UHI North, West and Hebrides graduation ceremonies

Graduates and award winners celebrated their achievements with friends, family, and guests at the UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Graduation and Celebration of Achievement ceremonies in Thurso, Stornoway and Fort William in the last few weeks.

More than 600 students have celebrated completion of their studies with UHI North, West and Hebrides in a range of further and higher education programmes, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, and other qualifications this year.

Addressing the graduates, Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: 

“You are now part of a story much larger than your own – the story of our communities who believe in education as a force for renewal. You have shown incredible determination, adaptability and resilience to reach your goal. You are now graduating into a world of challenge, but also one of immense possibility, and I hope you will apply what you have learnt to good – whether that is improving opportunities for yourself, your family, your employer or contributing to your community and the wider world.”  

Thurso ceremony, Friday 24^st October

In Thurso, around 100 students attended the ceremony in St Peter’s and St Andrews Church which was led by Master of Ceremonies, Debbie Miller, Vice Principal Strategic Developments.  The Mace Bearer for the academic procession was Lindsay Henderson who was recognised for her passionate advocacy of the student voice over a career with the college spanning 17 years.

The guest speaker was Ryan Maclean, Scrabster Harbour Trust Manager, who reflected on his career journey offering inspiration and encouragement to the graduates. He said:

“What will carry you through is not just your qualifications, but the habits and character you’ve built achieving them: hard work, perseverance, and the ability to make sacrifices for something bigger than yourself.”  

Staff and students were also recognised including:

• 2025 Sporting Blues Awards, presented by Highlands and Islands Students’ Association and UHI. The awards recognise exceptional sporting achievement across the UHI partnership.  
  • A Full Blue Award was presented to Louis Fleming, a BA (Hons) Professional Golf student, who returned from injury to win the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) West of Scotland Championship. 
  • An Honorary Blue Award was presented to Iain Morrison, the former Dean of Student Experience at UHI in recognition of his commitment to student sport across the partnership.
• The IET student excellence 2025 was presented to Mark Adams, a BEng (Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering student. 
• The Professor James Hunter Dissertation Prize was presented to Joy Rollinson, a BA (Hons) History student, on behalf of the UHI Centre for History and its founder, Professor Hunter. It recognises the best history dissertation by a student in 2025. Joy’s dissertation was titled ‘Propaganda in the Cinemas: Short Films as a Method of Propaganda in Britain during the Second World War 91939-1945’ 

Stornoway ceremony, Friday 31^st October

In Stornoway, around 40 students attended the ceremony at Martin’s Memorial Church, which was led by Master of Ceremonies, Joe MacPhee, Head of Strategic Projects.   Ally Macleod, a lecturer and member of the Board of Management of the college was Mace Bearer for the occasion, recognising his passion for training and inspiring the next generation of engineers and electricians, strengthening links with local industry, and his contributions in giving back to the community that supported his own development.   

The guest speaker was Lewis Gillies, a globally successful entrepreneur hailing from the Isle of Lewis, who reflected on his career journey offering inspiration and encouragement to the graduates.  He addressed the students saying:

“To all those graduating, congratulations. Graduation might feel like the end of something, but I certainly remember when I graduated, I felt like I had got to the end.  Looking back now, I realise I had only just got to the start.” 

Several students were also recognised for special awards this year, including: 

• Catriona Macarthur – Comunn na Gaidhlig Award for Merit in Gaelic – Year 1 
• Jane Macmillan – Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Gaelic Award – Year 3 
• Faith Longmuir – The Scarr-Hall Memorial Trust Award 
• Sinclair Currie – CIB Services Award – Enterprise and Example 
• John Macaskill – Institution of Mechanical Engineers Award for Best Final Mechanical Project 2025. 
• Abigail Morrison – Student of the Year Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands. 

Fort William ceremony, Friday 7^th November

In Fort William, around 70 students attended the ceremony, which was led by Master of Ceremonies, Tracy Kerr, Head of Performance and Planning. Martin Johnstone, a lecturer at UHI North, West and Hebrides, led the academic procession as Mace Bearer, recognising his professionalism and dedication as a new employee in launching a brand new course, The CECA Scotland Academy Civil Engineering Operative course last year. 

During the ceremony, families and friends were entertained by the Piper, Liam Gray and two musical items; “Seasons of My Life” and “This is Me”, both of which had been composed and performed by current students.

Special Awards were made during the ceremony:

• Guest Speaker Dave MacLeod from Roy Bridge is a professional rock climber, blogger, vlogger, author and coach based in the Highlands. Dave received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Highlands and Islands for his exceptional achievements in climbing, his dedication to education, and his deep-rooted connection to the Scottish Highlands which exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and community that UHI champions.
• UHI Alumnus of the Year was presented to Andy Macleod, a former School of Adventure Studies student.  Andy suffered a life-changing cycling accident in 2011 resulting in him having one leg amputated. However, he went on to complete his degree, joined the GP Para Snowboard team in 2018 and went on to be placed in the top 20 in both Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom in his Paralympic debut in Beijing in 2022.  Andy works with Disability Snowsport UK and with the Stirling charity Recyke-a-Bike, where he continues to champion inclusive outdoor learning.
• UHI North, West and Hebrides Overall Student of the Year, Adam Hutchison, NC Music and DJing with Sound Production.  Adam not only received his award today but also helped students and their families celebrate by showcasing his DJ-ing skills after the ceremony.
• Fiona Grant, former Director of Curriculum and Student Experience was recognised by the Board of Management for her extraordinary contribution to education in the Highlands over the last 30 years.  She received an award for “Pioneering Leadership in Tertiary Education Award” in recognition of a career dedicated to pioneering equitable tertiary education for rural and island communities. 

Closing the ceremony on Friday was Derek Lewis, Chair of the Board of Management of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:

“We congratulate you and we hope what you have been able to learn in your time with UHI North, West and Hebrides will serve you well in the future. And remember that you will always remain alumni of the college and we are here to serve you again and again whenever the need or opportunity arises.” 

Our graduation ceremony was supported by sponsorship from employers including:

• MacInnes Bros Ltd,
• Energee Services Ltd,
• MOWI 
• Allan Ingram Industrial Cleaning Services 
• An Cafaidh Mara

UHI North, West and Hebrides is grateful for the contribution in helping create a memorable day for our students and their guests.