Three Wester Ross men have started their own rural landscape business called 'Terracraft' thanks to a successful rural skills training programme that took place last year.

With limited employment prospects in the Applecross area Brian Ash, David Counsell and Roger Gilroy joined the Applecross Rural Skills project 18 months ago. Now, the training they received has equipped them with a wide variety of rural skills from drystone dyking and footpath construction to grass cutting and landscaping.

The project was a multi-agency approach to rural development in the Applecross peninsula of Wester Ross, which has been identified as one of the most disadvantaged communities in Ross-shire.

As well as training local people in a wide range of rural skills, the project had strong environmental benefits, improving and maintaining footpaths and drystone dykes throughout the area. Financial backing was provided from Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), the European funded LEADER II programme, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Rural Challenge Fund and the Applecross Estate Trust.

RACE provided help and guidance to 'Terracraft' on how to produce a business plan which helped the partners demonstrate that the business was viable. Free business counselling is also on hand now that the business has started and a range of one day training courses from customer care to basic book-keeping help supplement this and equip the partners with the business skills which ensure the smooth running of the business.

Ex-firefighter Brian Ash said: "The skills we developed on the rural skills project were invaluable in allowing us to consider starting the business, but it was just as important to make sure that demand for our proposed services existed and that the financial implications in getting established were fully covered before we started trading."

"It is early days but demand from local residents and estates has proved encouraging and although tendering is a new experience for us, we have just secured our first contract with The Highland Council to look after land in the Applecross, Shieldaig and Kishorn areas."

RACE provided Brian, David and Roger with a £7,800 (pounds) award under the Business Start Up scheme which is paid weekly to help businesses through the initial months of trading.

Development manager with RACE Kenny MacKay said: "This business has created full-time employment for three people in an area where alternative employment opportunities are scarce. It also provides an important local service to the community and serves as a good example of how different RACE services can combine to provide significant results."

For further information on the range of land based environmental services offered by Terracraft contact Brian Ash on 01520 755218.

Contact Shirley Macleod at RACE on 01349 855211 for further information about starting your own business.