A Mull-based tour boat operator has won the Argyll heat of this year's Shell Livewire 'Scottish Young Entrepreneur Awards', picking up prize money worth £1,000.

James Fairbairns from Tobermory started his own business running eco-tourist whale and dolphin watching tours.  Ecocruz take passengers on three-hour trips around Tobermory Bay, Loch Sunart and the Sound of Mull in search of wildlife where James also records environmental data for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Commenting on his win, James said: "I am absolutely delighted to have won and I look forward to attending the Scottish final in May at Stirling Castle."

This is the 21st year of the Shell Livewire competition which is targeted at new businesses which have been trading for more than three months but less than a year and a half.

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) hosted today's (Thursday 27 March) ceremony at their Lochgilphead office.  Ecocruz along with four other finalists made presentations to judges during the day before the winner was announced this afternoon.

Two businesses from Oban made the shortlist for the Argyll region.  Stephen Bullock operates Urbansummits, a specialist outdoor clothing and equipment shop aimed at the younger market with quality branded leisure wear and streetwear clothing.  Stephen identified a gap in the market in Oban with no one catering for the 'more trendy' outdoor enthusiasts so he established a retail business in the town's High Street.

Also from Oban, Christine and Michael Stuart reached the final with their business, Reflections - a salon providing a range of hair and beauty services.  Opened in March 2002, the business employs two staff and has gained a reputation for excellent quality of service within that time.

Stuart Ralson is the man behind Cumbrae Autism Intervention Services (CAIS) which provides Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism or other development disorders.  CAIS help families educate their children in a behavioural way using ABA, which offers the best opportunities to enhance the development and quality of life for children with autism. 

After working as a web designer in New York, Murdo Ross came up with the idea of his own design business for screen and print.  Based in Dunoon, DesignScotland.com delivers design solutions to a range of small to medium sized business in Argyll.  He hopes that through his work, he can help to raise the profile of Argyll as a destination for business and tourism.

Attending today's event, Shell Livewire co-ordinator Vicky Tierney said: "All of the businesses represented at the Argyll finals deserve to win with their innovative and dynamic approach to business.  However, there can only be one winner and I am sure that Ecocruz will do very well at the Scottish final."

Chief executive of AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "AIE is delighted to host the Shell Livewire regional final and I would like to congratulate all five businesses who made the shortlist.  I would also like to wish Ecocruz the very best of luck at the Scottish final and hope to see them go through to the UK final in London later in the year."