Alex Gilliland
Landcare

Alex established his business by working with local fish farms and dealing with fish health.
As the "Fishcare" business is mainly seasonal, Alex created another business arm in the form of "Landcare". This business undertakes landscaping, site clearance, excavation and road building. 
Alex received funding from PSYBT and the Comhairle's Kick Start scheme to purchase additional equipment. This allowed him to operate "Fishcare and Landcare" more efficiently and enabled him to operate all year round.

It wasn’t long before the ‘Landcare’ side of the business expanded to become the main business priority.

Any enquiries should be directed to Alex on 07801699382

Fiona's Kitchen

Fiona MacSween saw the need for a catering facility in Harris, providing wholesome, healthy food, at affordable prices.

Fiona set up ‘Fiona’s Kitchen’ in a mobile catering trailer in May 2003. Having been a catering assistant for many years, Fiona was up-to-date with all the food hygiene regulations and was experienced in catering for large numbers of people.

Fiona cooks and sells a wide range of food from soup and sandwiches to complete meals with ‘Specials’ being offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Fiona was successful in applying to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for a Kick-Start loan of £3560.00 and also Development Grant assistance from WIE.

Isle of Harris Knitwear Company

Mairi Fraser and Katherine Lips established a small ‘cottage industry’ on the Isle of Harris hand knitting garments to the highest standards and quality, whilst using traditional methods.

All garments are hand-knitted using ‘babysoft’ wool and feature traditional patterns and designs. In order to maintain originality the wool is obtained locally and also twisted on the island, adding to the authenticity of the knitwear. Each garment is individually hand-made and hand-stitched, enabling them to accommodate specific size and colour requirements.

Mairi and Katherine received Kick Start Grant and Loan assistance so they could purchase a computer, design a website, attend Scottish Craft Fairs/Exhibitions and update the packaging of their knitwear.

For more information, check out the website - www.isleofharrisknitwear.co.uk or contact the Isle of Harris Knitwear directly at:

Isle of Harris Knitwear
Grosebay
Isle of Harris
HS3 3EF
Tel: 01859 511 240 or 01859 511 108
Fax: 01859 511 297 or 01859 511 240

Linga Longa Llamas

Llama trekking is part of the business offered by Philippa Gibbs from her home in Drinishader Harris. Pippa has 4 llamas and provides a trekking service with the llamas on designated routes around the Bays of Harris area. The walks vary in length and can be tailored to suit all age groups. Accompanying guides provide the participants with details about the countryside and local history. The llamas are used to provide portage for any picnics or fishing gear the customer may wish to take with them.

Pippa also runs the local Post Office and shop which sells basic foodstuffs, animal feed and llama associated gifts/souvenirs. Fishing rod/tackle and boat hire is also available within the shop.

Financial assistance was received for this business from the Highland Fund, WIE and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar through their Kick-start programme.

For more information about the llama trekking, phone Pippa on 01859 511102.

The Hebridean Soap Company

Hebridean Soap is the first commercial soap-producing company in the Outer Hebrides and was set-up in 2002 by Linda Sutherland.

The business operates from its base in Breasclete on the West Side of Lewis, producing and retailing a range of quality soap products.

The development has achieved a contemporary look and feel without compromising the integrity of the aged stone structure with many of its traditional features maintained.  The new centre was completed on time for its official opening on the 1st May 2007.

For more information, go to:  www.hebrideansoap.co.uk

Soviet Bazaar

Soviet Bazaar is based on the Isle of Barra, and has been trading since March 2000. It is owned and managed by Vladimir Dasiukevich. The main activites of the business are importing products from the former USSR Republics to the UK. They are presently trading in consumer goods, such as night vision devices, spotting scopes, binoculars, riflescopes and photographic equipment.

Vladimir has secured funding from the Comhairle and WIE to enable him to develop and market the business.

www.sovietbazaar.co.uk

Viking Paintball

“Viking Paintball” is a leisure venture, established by Joe Engebretsen & Jason King at the Hebridean Paintball Fields, Macaulay Farm, Stornoway. A loan of £3,200 from PSYBT helped them with their start-up costs. A typical paintball session consists of several 15 minute games, each with different objectives & rules. Protective clothing and equipment is worn to protect players and games are closely monitored at all times.

Paintballing is one of the fastest growing activities in the UK and is proving to be a hit in Stornoway, particularly popular with stag parties and corporate groups.
Visit the website at www.vikingpaintball.co.uk

Cothrom Ltd

Cothrom Ltd is a community training provider based in the middle-district of South Uist.  It took over the management of uistonline.com in March 2002, and has revamped and updated the site.

The company received assistance from the Comhairle's Kick-Start Marketing Grant Scheme to make uistonline.com a commercial enterprise, securing and increasing the project staff and maintaining an income stream in order to develop the business.

A special feature of Cothrom is the Adult Basic Skills programme, which provides a stepping-stone for adults who wish to return to education or find employment and provides training courses, from evening classes and short courses to Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

www.uistonline.com

John MacIver & Son

Iain MacIver bought over the long-established family concern, John MacIver & Son, in June 2000, and has enjoyed considerable success since. He employs a number of staff at his premises on Inaclete Road, Stornoway. When the opportunity arose to purchase and run the business himself, he successfully applied for Comhairle, PSYBT and bank funding to enable him to go ahead with the project

The major areas of activity for this business are: Digger hire; Crane hire and Road Gritting.

Iain received additional financial assistance in 2002 from the Comhairle, PSYBT, WIE and the bank to enable him to grow his business and purchase a 50T crane and a 35T crane.  This increased the lifting capacity of the crane fleet and enabled the business to take on additional work and operate at optimum efficiency.

Iain's achievements to date include winning the Shell LiveWIRE - Best Progress Award in 2001 and the Highlands & Islands Business Awards 2001 for a PSYBT assisted business.

Contact Details:           

John MacIver & Son
16 Inaclete Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis HS1 2RB

Hebridean Toffee

Karen and Gerry set up 'Hebridean Toffee' in April 2000. They received assistance from the Comhairle and WIE to help them get the business up and running..

Hebridean Toffee is a small-scale confectionery manufacturing business based on Barra. Its products have a strong local identity. Since it started, the business has gone from strength to strength.

Their 'Sweet Thoughts' world wide delivery service is proving extremely popular, with individual boxes being sent around the world to countries as far away as Canada, America, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand and various European countries.

For further information, you can click onto www.isleofbarra.com/toffee.html

Besailing

Bruce Dudley set up ‘Besailing’ in the Summer of 2003. He received assistance from the Comhairle and WIE to help get the business up and running.

Besailing offers dinghy sailing and instruction to tourists, local groups and individuals. The vessel used is a Hobie Cat 15’, a French-made, dual hull, shallow draft dinghy which can carry up to four crew. It is a popular, stylish beach boat; capable of reaching exciting speeds, yet will remain stable in high winds and strong tides.

For more information about Besailing, contact Bruce on 01859 530419

Luskentyre Harris Tweed

Luskentyre Tweed Company was set up in 1991 by husband and wife, Donald John and Maureen MacKay.
The company manufactures and markets high quality Harris Tweed, offering a personal service, and working closely with their customers to meet requirements.

The company received assistance from the Comhairle and WIE to help market and develop the business and they have since received orders from all over the world; from individuals to large corporations such as Nike.

For more information, Maureen can be contacted on 01859 550261 or please visit their website at www.luskentyreharristweed.co.uk

Blue Heron Creative Services

Blue Heron Creative Services is an agency specialising in design and marketing set up by Karen MacDonald. A graduate from Grays School of Art, Karen gained 10 years experience in the graphic design field, including working in the Cayman Islands. On her return to Stornoway, she decided there was a gap in the market for this type of work. PSYBT awarded her a £1,000 grant and £1,700 loan to assist with the purchase of essential hardware.

The diverse services offered by Blue Heron range from designing standard corporate ID packages to the commission of a sculpture or art piece. The company has quickly established its place in the market, and continues to grow on its reputation.
Visit the website at www.blueheroncreative.com

Wild West Foods (UK) Ltd

Wild West Foods (UK) Ltd was established in 2001 and was in the exciting position of being the first UK company to market beef jerky to the UK market.

Along with funding from PSYBT and WIE, they also received an interest-free loan and marketing grant from the Comhairle's Business Advantage schemes.
In 2004 with increasing competition in the marketplace, Wild West Foods formulated a Growth Plan to enable them to gain a significant share of the UK meat snacks market and to establish “Wild West” as a major European snack brand.  With £25,000 Growth Funding from PSYBT along with finance from the Comhairle and the Bank they were able to move their production process to business units in Uig and purchase packaging machinery, packaging materials and stock.  Since then the business has grown from strength to strength, awards have been won and new products have been introduced. 
Richard and Gillian achieved success at the PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Business Awards 2003 when Wild West Foods won 2nd place in the national competition held in Glasgow. 

Body and Sole

Iline Afrin returned to Stornoway from Glasgow in 2003 having completed an HND in Beauty Therapy, Make-up artistry modules and various other certificates in additional beauty treatments. Iline had gained invaluable experience whilst working in an award winning skin care centre in Glasgow and felt ready to start her own business. 

Iline was awarded a £3,000 loan and £1,000 grant from PSYBT in August 2003 which helped her to set up “Body & Sole” by the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).

Originally “Body & Sole” was set up in shared rented premises on Bayhead Street with Iline’s father, Murdo Afrin who re-located his long established Chiropody practice. When the opportunity arose to extend the business into the neighbouring shop premises, Iline’s sister, Anne Marie MacLeod who started her own nail technician business, “Hands Up”, moved in.

In June 2005 Iline was awarded an Expansion loan of £2,000 from PSYBT and in July 2005 a further growth fund loan of £18,000 was awarded to enable Iline to purchase her own premises and expand her business.  Iline bought and renovated an old opticians shop on Keith Street, Stornoway.

Iline has settled into her new premises and continues to rent rooms to her father and sister and also rents rooms to a reflexologist, acupuncturist and two hairdressers including Hair @ No. 57, another PSYBT supported business. She also employs two beauticians and a Saturday girl. With the new larger premises “Body & Sole” are able to offer a more extensive list of treatments, not previously available on the island.

Iline achieved national success with Body and Sole when the business won 2nd place at the PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Business Awards 2005 held in Glasgow. 

As well as offering an extensive range of beauty salon treatments including aqua detox, laser hair removal and spray tanning, Iline specialises in skin care using the Dermalogica range of products.

Contact Details:

Body & Sole and Hair @ No. 57
57, Keith St,
Stornoway,
Isle of Lewis HS1 2JG