Big Deal Secured for Highland BlindCraft Beds

We’re excited to share some fantastic news - Highland BlindCraft has secured a major contract to supply high-quality, handcrafted mattresses for Balfour Beatty’s Glen Mor workers’ village near Fort Augustus. This accommodation will house the skilled workforce delivering SSEN Transmission’s Skye Reinforcement Project, which will replace the overhead electricity transmission line between Fort Augustus and Skye.



Our first delivery of 85 mattresses is scheduled for this month, with the potential for further orders in the months ahead. Each mattress is carefully made in our Inverness workshop, combining craftsmanship, comfort, and social purpose.

Highland BlindCraft has been proudly serving Scotland for over 140 years, providing supported employment and skills training for individuals with disabilities and visual impairments. This latest project is a perfect example of how our work not only delivers comfort but also creates opportunities for people in our community.

Thanks to this contract, we’ve been able to create a new manufacturing role, part-funded by Highland Council through the Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO) scheme — supporting local jobs while meeting the needs of a major infrastructure project.

We’re also committed to making this collaboration as sustainable as possible. Mattress covers will be replaced when a worker leaves the accommodation, ensuring hygiene and quality without unnecessary waste. At the end of the project, the mattresses will be fully refurbished and donated to local charities - giving them a second life and helping those in need.

This contract is part of a wider effort by SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty to work closely with local businesses and deliver long-term social value.

Simon Robertson, SSEN Transmission’s Lead Project Manager, said:

“Supporting local businesses and delivering social value is a key aim of this project… it provides a great example of what can be achieved when organisations work in partnership to deliver real impact that supports livelihoods and benefits local communities.”

Sam Crowe, Balfour Beatty’s Social Impact Manager, added:

“This partnership not only supports a respected local social enterprise, but also creates meaningful employment opportunities and promotes sustainability in a practical and tangible way.”

Our CEO, Deirdre Aitken, shared how proud the team is to be involved:

“Our supported employees are being kept busy making the mattresses, and it’s fantastic to have backing from a company that values local businesses and inclusive employment. We hope their staff enjoy a good night’s sleep — and that this partnership continues to support our sustainability and impact.”

The Skye Reinforcement Project will replace the existing single-circuit overhead line between Fort Augustus and Skye, which is nearing the end of its operational life. The upgrade will:

• Maintain energy security for homes and businesses in Skye, along the route, and in the Western Isles.
• Increase capacity to allow more renewable energy to connect to the grid.
• Strengthen network reliability for the future.

We’re incredibly proud that our small Inverness-based team is playing a part in such a significant project for the Highlands and Islands - delivering comfort, sustainability, and a great night's sleep... one mattress at a time.