Leading entrepreneur to deliver free inspirational insights at Inverness event

Leading entrepreneur to deliver free inspirational insights at Inverness event

Angus MacDonald OBE, who has built and sold five significant businesses whilst based in the Highlands, will share his inspiring entrepreneurial journey with the Highlands’ business community at a free event at Inverness College on Thursday 30th May. 

MacDonald first established his reputation in the 1990s in his 20s, building and selling a data company to a Californian FinTech business, this was followed by scaling and selling two financial publishing companies for a combined value of over £91m. In 2018/19 he sold an education company and recycling business for £60m. In 2014, he was awarded an OBE for services to the Highlands, and in 2017, was crowned Spear’s UK wide Entrepreneur of the Year.


The event will provide an opportunity for attendees to strengthen their business acumen, develop strategy from MacDonald’s insights, and pose questions to him during a Q&A session. They will also be able to connect with other local business owners and like-minded peers. 

Speaking ahead of the event, Angus MacDonald OBE said “I love business, believe that opportunities abound, and I want to encourage younger generations to share this ethos, particularly in the Highlands. I will still be doing this when I am 85, increasingly with a core focus of encouraging local businesses to develop and flourish.”


Sandy Kennedy, chief executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland, will chair the event and is at the forefront of leading a movement to progress business in Scotland himself. Commenting on the event, Kennedy said: “my goal is to develop and inspire Scotland’s business minds to become the most entrepreneurial society in the world.

“At Entrepreneurial Scotland, we manage a rapidly growing membership of some of the country’s most successful business owners, including many in the Highlands and Islands. This free event is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs, business owners and those interested in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship to come together and hear Angus’ story.”


The event is free to attend on Thursday 30th May, more details can be found here:https://www.entrepreneurialscotland.com/events/evening-withangus-macdonald

Date: 30th May

Start 5.30pm for 6pm – 8pm

Inverness College UHI, 1, Inverness Campus,

Inverness , IV2 5NA

Complimentary refreshments will be provided

The Ulti-Mutt Experience, Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace Launches Tailored Doggy Getaways

The Ulti-Mutt Experience, Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace Launches Tailored Doggy Getaways

Muckle Media are delighted that their client, The Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace has partnered with premium Edinburgh based Crighton Pet Services to offer dogs a bespoke getaway while owners enjoy exploring some of the capital’s hidden gems.

Four-legged friends will be able to escape to the Edinburgh hills, seaside or woodlands with Steven Crighton, founder and owner of Crighton Pet Services.

Crighton has over 1,000 kilometres worth of professional dog walking experience, walking up to 20 dogs per week and will customise each experience to suit the individual dog’s personality, size age and breed.

The dogs will be collected directly from guests’ hotel rooms at the Crowne Plaza and dropped off again after a wash and brush up. Owners will be able to take time to relax and explore Edinburgh, safe in the knowledge that their pet will be having the time of their life. They can then choose between arriving home to greet them or staying out a little longer.

The Crowne Plaza will provide a welcome letter on arrival, highlighting all the local bars, cafes, shops and attractions that are dog friendly as well as amenities to make sure each four-legged guest feels at home.

These include a memory foam dog bed at the hotel and a dog bowl with a welcome treat. There is also doggie beer available in the bar and lounge, where dogs can join their owners through the day and evening.

Commenting on the launch, Kieran Quinn, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza, said “We are thrilled to be extending our services to four legged guests. Edinburgh has a wealth of options for national and local visitors who return to explore the capital year on year.

The city’s easily accessible beaches and hills, combined with rich history, makes it a picturesque location for humans and dogs alike. We keep our guests at the heart of everything we do, and what better way to enhance their experience than inviting their dogs along to share it.”

For more information on Crowne Plaza’s Ulti-Mutt experience visit: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/edinburgh/edite/hoteldetail

5 THINGS I LEARNED DURING MY INTERNSHIP THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MAKING TEA

5 THINGS I LEARNED DURING MY INTERNSHIP THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MAKING TEA

Emily Intern

I had been researching PR agencies in Edinburgh for about 4 months before I made the move from Canada to Scotland. The more I looked into Muckle Media, the more it drew me in. You’ve got to love a good alliteration and flashy pink branding, but what the heck is a muckle? One quick urban dictionary search later, I learned muckle means a large amount… of media. Sold. A catchy name with a clever meaning – I’m here for it.

Intern, Emily at the Muckle Media office

I applied to Muckle media with quite a risqué cover letter spilling out my hopes and dreams of one day leaving cold snowy Canada to work in a creative agency in the UK – the land of lovely accents. I also included my colourfully designed CV to wash it all down. Think Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, minus the perfume scented paper. Much to my surprise I received a nearly instant response and was in for an interview the next day.

All of my first day nerves were chased away by a warm welcome of smiling faces when I walked into the charmingly decorated office. With a collection of team photos and selfies, couches for comfort and a chalkboard wall, it is not your average workspace.

Intern, Emily in the Muckle Media board room

As an intern you don’t expect to be given hard hitting tasks, at least not right away. No, you expect to be making tea and fetching coffee. Well I can honestly say, as soon as I started, I was plunged right into campaign brainstorms, social media designs and proposal writing. And it’s a good job too. Because I’m from Canada and I make a dreadful cup of tea.

Intern, Emily

My placement was better than I could’ve expected. Not only did I learn and grow from it, but I met some top-notch people who have made my first month in Scotland an unforgettable one.

Emily’s Top Tips

So, if you’re also thinking of dazzling your CV with an internship, here’s my advice.

1. Be enthusiastic and eager

People don’t remember everything you say or do but they remember how you made them feel. Always be a positive light at work. Be someone they genuinely enjoy working with and want to keep around, especially when the Monday blues hit. Offer to help out when you are low on projects, don’t just wait for jobs to come to you. And eagerly accept tasks that are given to you (within reason of course).

2. Make yourself a part of the team

Mingle, mingle, mingle! Who doesn’t love a post-work drink or two? Get to know your co-workers, fellow interns and immerse yourself in the office culture. Become a part of the agency family and be memorable. It’s important as an intern to get noticed, both for work and your sparkling personality. You want them to miss you when you’re gone.

3. Do things outside your comfort zone (now’s the time to learn)

If you’re the least bit intrigued by a project offer to help. An internship is a great time to learn and ask questions. So, soak up as much information as you can. Before my placement, I thought I was terrible at design. One month and a couple of YouTube tutorials later and I’ve become one of the go-to people for design jobs. So, try something new, you might surprise yourself.

4. Keep a portfolio

Show your work (sorry to give you a traumatic flash back of math class). What I mean is have a running file of your written works and design projects. Especially the ones that you’re particularly proud of or praised for. You never know when you might need to prove you’re a PR all-star.

5. Enjoy it!

Most importantly, have fun with it. At Muckle Media, I had a seriously stellar time. From celebrating little wins in the office to lunch dates with the team, there was no shortage of laughs and play mixed in with the daily grind.

If you’re interested in Muckle Media check out our website where you can see more of what we do.