A multi-media artist, based in a remote part of Sutherland, is embarking on a new era with the purchase of hi-tech, specialist digital video editing equipment which has already allowed him to get involved in a unique dance and video collaboration.

Gavin Lockhart has received £2,000 from the Initiative at the Edge programme, which is accessed locally via Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE). The funding enabled him to purchase the equipment necessary to edit videos at his home in Skerray. Until recently, Gavin used to have to travel to London or Edinburgh to hire, at great expense, similar equipment.

Since buying the new computerised system, Gavin has worked with aerialist dancer Morag Wightman on a project exploring zero gravity. Morag performed in zero gravity conditions in a space research plane above Star City in Russia and Gavin processed video images of the performance at his croft house in North Sutherland.

The pair then met up at Sadlers Wells in London creating a unique theatrical experience, which combined Gavin's projected video with a dance performance choreographed by Morag. Assistance for this particular venture came from HI Arts, the main arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands. They awarded Gavin £500 from their Artists Awards scheme which is jointly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council.

Gavin Lockhart said: "Digital technology is becoming more and more accessible and in order for me to keep up with the competition I had to make this investment. I felt like everybody was using an outboard motor but I was still rowing. I am extremely grateful to the Initiative at the Edge team, CASE and HI Arts for all their assistance."

Fiona Limbrey, CASE's Initiative at the Edge project officer said: "Gavin's project is a shining example of how, with a little assistance, great ideas can 'get off the ground'. It is a clear demoinstration, if one were needed, that living in a croft in Skerray does not mean you can't have clear amitions to work on a global scale."