A fine artist and her graphic design partner are opening a print gallery in the north-west of Skye, presenting the area with a new visitor attraction and providing year-round employment. The project will also bring an old, disused croft house back into productive use.

Kathleen Lindsley and Nick Carter recently bought a derelict croft house in Skindin in the north west of Skye, and with support from the Local Enterprise Company, they plan to convert the property into a gallery for the sale of arts and crafts goods.

Ms Lindsley has operated her part-time business, Raven Press, from the family home in Milovaig since 1994 but the expansion into new premises will allow the couple to operate the business year-round. The new gallery will be in a prime location, next door to the prestigious Three Chimneys Restaurant, and is likely to attract lots of visitors.

Raven Press produce fine prints from wood carvings. The wood engravings produced by Ms Lindsley are renowned for their high quality and have been exhibited widely both solo and with the Society of Wood Engravers, the national group of wood engravers.

Mr Carter, a qualified graphic designer and self-employed creel fisherman and builder, is going to carry out the restoration and conversion work required.

Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, is supporting the expansion of the business with a building and development grant totalling £2,800.

Ms Lindsley said: "We are looking forward to opening the gallery to the public in June of this year."

Development manager at SALE, Jennifer Robertson said: "Developing the manufacturing and production sector, which in Skye is largely craft based, is a priority for SALE. The expansion of the business into new premises in a prime location will not only provide Ms Lindsley with year-round employment, it will prove a valuable addition to the attractions that already exist in the north west of the island."