Three new businesses serving residents and tourists on the remote island of Rum are flourishing with the help of vital assistance from the Local Enterprise Company.

Judith Hunter is an artist and illustrator who has turned her talent for producing watercolours, oils and prints towards starting her own art gallery.  Eilean Rum Gallery is housed in her home in Kinloch and has been set up with the backing of HIE Starts, a programme run by Lochaber Enterprise aimed at helping new businesses by providing a regular income in the first few months of trading.  In addition to displaying her work, the gallery will provide an outlet for other local arts and crafts.

She said:  "The first few months since opening have been a great success.  I have much to do over the winter months and I have many ideas on how to improve the gallery, which would have been difficult without the HIE Starts grant.
 
"Setting up a website is one of my aims to reach a much wider group of people who might be interested in watercolour landscapes, local crafts, and the wild beauty of the Island of Rum."

The Isle of Rum is renowned for its landscape, wildlife and geology, and is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on behalf of the nation as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) for research and conservation purposes.  In addition to receiving HIE Starts assistance, the second business has been set up as a result of SNH's decision to allow members of the community to bid for some of its service contracts.

Ragnhild Rostrup, who originally comes from Norway, has taken on the role of delivering the islanders' mail following her successful bid for the postal service contract.  Given the environmental issues on Rum, Miss Rostrup decided to invest in a bicycle and trailer rather than a van, and received £450 from Lochaber Enterprise towards its cost. 

She is also responsible for setting up the third new business on the island - Eilean Rum Crafts - which she runs in her spare time.  She produces handmade hats, scarves and jewellery to sell at various outlets in Lochaber and though her own internet site, www.isleofrum.co.uk.   She has been awarded a HIE Starts allowance to provide support towards both of her projects for the first few months.

She said:  "I had to deliver the mail by foot before now.  It's only about a three-mile round trip but the roads are very rough so I'm pleased the new bike has front and rear suspension.  The support from Lochaber Enterprise has helped my businesses enormously and my craft business in particular has flourished for that reason."

Charlotte Wright, acting chief executive of Lochaber Enterprise, is pleased with the success of the new businesses:  "At Lochaber Enterprise we are keen to promote community empowerment.  By supporting these new businesses we are able to help the community to take greater control of their development needs, which will hopefully sow the seeds of future economic prosperity."

SNH area manager for West Highland, Greg Mudge, said the new business ventures were a welcome boost for the Island.  He added: "Rum is a very special place and we are happy to encourage residents on the island to develop such enterprising business ventures.  We want to attract people to the Rum National Nature Reserve so they can appreciate for themselves what it has to offer.  With help from Lochaber Enterprise, having additional services and attractions on the Island should boost the number of visitors and this is a good thing for all concerned."