The Island of Tiree is set to offer visitors a much wider range of accommodation with the construction of a bunkhouse and activity centre and the upgrade of a guesthouse, just in time for Easter.

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) has awarded Millhouse Activity Centre and the Tiree Glassary funding packages totalling £103,000.  This financial assistance includes money from the European-funded HIE Standards programme which is designed to help accommodation providers invest in the upgrade of their premises in a bid to attract and meet the needs of today's discerning travellers.

For Mabel Macarthur of the Tiree Glassary, an award of £25,000 is helping her upgrade her restaurant with rooms, which she runs with her son Iain.  The Tiree Glassary is the only premises on the island to offer 'fine dining', and with the upgrading and re-organisation of the kitchen and restaurant, this will allow Mabel and Iain to cater for more guests.

The £50,00 project will also see the upgrade of the Tiree Glassary's rooms with the creation of an up-market suite - a large bedroom with easy chairs, a dressing room, and large en-suite bathroom.

Commenting on the project, Mabel said: "We have had the Tiree Glassary since 1984 and we continue to invest in the business, offering customers a very high standard of service.  However, we were very cramped for space in the kitchen and some of our equipment required upgrading but the new kitchen will enable us to maintain our standards whilst catering for more covers.

"Our suite will be the only accommodation of this type and standard on the Island and we felt there was an opening here both for the business person and the holiday maker.  We are very grateful to AIE for their financial assistance, without which the project could not have been contemplated."

At the other end of the accommodation market, a building development grant from AIE worth £78,000 is going towards the construction of a bunkhouse and activity centre, at a cost of £156,000.  Judith Boyd has also received business start-up assistance from AIE through its HIE-Starts programme for her venture.  This part European-funded initiative provides financial support for new business starts as well as advice, training and aftercare support.  Fledgling businesses are awarded a modest grant which provides them with a regular monthly income for the first 12 months of trading.

Judith identified the need for low-cost hostel style accommodation to cater both for individuals and groups visiting the island and looking for a range of outdoor activities.  She bought a range of derelict properties comprising a house, barn and mill close to Loch Bhasapol, and she is currently converting the barn into a bunkhouse.  She also plans to provide equipment for hire including bikes and fishing equipment.
 
Trading as Millhouse Activity Centre, the business is set to work in conjunction with other outdoor activity providers on Tiree, including windsurfing, ponytrekking and sandyachting. In doing so, a complete package can be offered if required.

Commenting on her project, Judith said: "With my children now grown up, I was looking for a new challenge and was aware of the need for budget accommodation on Tiree to cater for the growing number if independent travellers.  I have always been interested in outdoor activities and this seemed the ideal combination."

Chief executive of AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "Tiree is a priority for AIE because of the fragile nature of the island.  Both these projects will impact significantly on the Tiree economy, expanding the range of accommodation available to visitors and creating new jobs in the process.

"The Tiree Glassary and Millhouse Activity Centre are just two of the tourist accommodation businesses in the region that we have assisted in recent months as part of our ongoing programme to enhance the quality and range of accommodation on offer in Argyll and the Islands.  Good standards of accommodation are important to encourage people to stay longer and to make repeat visits."