MKA Economics

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Projects

Business Planning

Campbeltown Airport - Scale of the Opportunity 
Client - Southworth Clubs / Kintyre Development Company

MKA Economics led the Scale of the Opportunity research into investing in Campbeltown Airport to facilitate better connectivity for business and communities in the Mull of Kintyre.

St Andrews Harbour Hub and Pier Restoration
Client - St Andrews Harbour Hub

MKA Economics led the business case to develop the St Andrews Harbour Hub, a multi-purpose facility that includes a Harbourmaster's officer, a new cafe and heritage interpretation centre. 

North East Adventure Tourism 
Client - North East Adventure Tourism 

MKA Economics led the business cases of four adventure tourism projects seeking funding from Opportunity North East. This included multi-million pound investments at Glenshee Ski Centre, Transition Extreme, Gravitate North East and new mountain bike trails for Huntly Development Trust. 

Project Safe Haven 
Client - Unicorn Preservation Society 

MKA Economics was commissioned to support the formation of the business case to safeguard HMS Unicorn and to develop a new visitor centre at City Quay in Dundee.

Community Wealth Building

Glen Earrach Pumped Storage Hydro  (PSH)
Client - Glen Earrach Energy 

MKA Economics developed the CWB Strategy for a 2,000 MW PSH scheme near Loch Ness, to consider the project's contribution to employment, business opportunities, training and skills development and social value across the Highlands, including contribution to The Highland Council's Social Value Charter. 

Hunterston Data Centre
Client - Eneus Energy

MKA Economics was commissioned in 2026 to develop a CWB Strategy for a proposed Data Centre, setting out approaches to local procurement, supplier development, apprenticeships and workforce development, aligned to North Ayrshire's CWB priorities. 

Economic Impact Assessment

Lost Shore Surf Lagoon
Client - Lost Shore

MKA Economics was commissioned to update our previous economic impact assessment of the now operational Lost Shore Surf Lagoon.

Vault City Brewing Relocation 
Client - Vault City Brewing 

MKA Economics was commissioned to assess the economic impact of Vault City Brewing's new brewery in Midlothian. 

Mallaig Harbour 
Client - Mallaig Harbour Authority 

MKA Economics carried out an independent economic assessment of Mallaig Harbour to the local and national economies.

Various Renewable Developments
Client - Various

MKA Economics has led the Socio-economic, Tourism, Land Use and Recreation Assessment of a number of renewable investments across Scotland, including onshore and offshore wind proposals, pumped storage schemes, green hydrogen production, anaerobic digestion facilities, solar arrays, battery storage facilities, green data centres and grid infrastructure investments. 

Event Impact Assessment

Event Impact Assessments 
Client - Various

MKA Economics has led the event impact assessment of over 100 events over the last decade.

Paddle Steamer Waverley 
Client - Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.

MKA Economics estimated the economic impact assessment of the PS Waverley from her sailing programme.

External Funding (Source and Application)

External Funding Support 
Client - St Andrews Harbour Trust 

MKA Economics has been supporting St Andrews Harbour Trust apply for external funds to develop St Andrews harbour. 

Policy and Strategy  Support

DYW Moray Economic Evaluation 2025
Client - DYW Moray

MKA Economics was commissioned by DYW Moray to complete an economic evaluation of their activities in 2024/25.

Rural Community Led Vision 2024 - 2027
Client - Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (ALAG)

MKA Economics was commissioned by ALAG to develop a strategic plan to reflect the needs and ambitions of Aberdeenshire's rural communities.

Aberdeenshire Harbours Economic Development Plans 2024 - 2029 
Client - Aberdeenshire Council

MKA Economics was commissioned by Aberdeenshire Council in 2023 to develop Economic Development Plans (EDPs) to drive the development of their harbours in Banff, Gourdon, Johnshaven, Macduff, Portsoy, Rosehearty and Stonehaven. 

Net Zero and Energy Transition 

Pumped Storage Hydro
Client - SSE / Gilkes Energy / Statera

MKA Economics has completed the socio-economics, tourism and recreation assessment of six major pumped storage hydro (PSH) schemes.

Solar and BESS
Client - Locogen

MKA Economics has completed a wide range socio-economic, tourism and recreation assessments of solar plant and battery energy storage systems.

Anaerobic Digestion 
Client - Acorn Bioenergy 

MKA Economics completed three socio-economic, tourism and recreation assessments of three anaerobic digestion plants in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland.

Option Appraisal

Portgordon Harbour Option Appraisal
Client - Portgordon Community Trust 

MKA Economics was commissioned in 2025 to carry out an independent feasibility, option appraisal and business case of transferring Portgordon Harbour from Crown Estate Scotland to the local community.







 
We really appreciate the huge piece of work that you have done for us devising a Rural Community Led Vision for Aberdeenshire 2024 - 2027. We now have something that we can use to take us forward which we have definitely been feeling the lack of. As we moved from a long term LEADER strategy into a still evolving new structure, we have all felt that we needed to redefine our parameters to address all the challenges and changes, especially funding which has been allocated year by year. You have absolutely pulled the focus to where it needs to be. It is a very impressive piece of work. Thank you so much for your skill and diligence in producing this for us.
Gina Ford, Chair, Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (ALAG)
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