An island off the Scottish mainland which attracts hundreds of surfers each year is on the crest of a wave as five of its businesses have achieved a prestigious business award at the same time.

The businesses which receive their Investors in People (IiP) award tonight (Monday, 7 January 2002) are from Tiree which lies off the coast of Mull to the west of Scotland. Tiree with a population of just 700 is also famous for being singled out in national weather forecasts due to its westerly location.

The five IiP recognitions on Tiree fall into line with already impressive figures for the Highlands and Islands as a whole - a third of all Scottish recognitions come from the area, even though it is home to only a tenth of the country's business population.

Investors in People is a national award which encourages companies and organisations to make the most of their key resource - their staff - by developing their skills in line with overall business objectives.

Investors in People is coordinated in the north western half of Scotland by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network. Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) are able to provide practical support and advice for local businesses and organisations working towards the IiP standard, which is independently assessed and awarded.

Growing businesses manager at AIE Angela Vernel said: "This is a great result for the businesses on Tiree who have worked hard to achieve recognition. They have all said that going through the IiP process has benefited their individual businesses and report efficiency savings and the effective development of their staff as just some of the areas where improvements have been made.

"We are currently working through the IiP process with other businesses on the island and we hope that before too long we can get them through the standard as well."

The recognised companies are DA & AJ MacLean - a butchers and crofters business; John and Claire Holliday, who run the doctor's surgery; Catriona and Angus MacLennan from MacLennan Motors/Freight; Ian and Fiona MacLeod who own and run a local shop; and the Tiree Motor Company.

For further information about the IiP standard contact Barbara Halliday at AIE on 01546 605422