Residents on Orkney's farthest flung island have a brighter future for the community sewn up with the expansion of their wool spinning operation and the development of visitor facilities.

The community business 'A Yarn from North Ronaldsay' (YfNR) has just taken delivery of a mini-mill from Canada so that fleeces from the Island's ancient breed of sheep can be spun locally instead of being sent to Yorkshire.

North Ronaldsay sheep are very rare - they live on the Island's shore and survive largely on a staple diet of seaweed, which gives the meat a unique flavour and makes it a highly prized delicacy, and their fleeces are used to produce a range of woollen goods.

The native flock is kept on the shore by the old sheep dyke - the longest continuous dry stone structure in the world - and has been managed by the Island's crofters for generations on a collective basis.  YfNR was established over six years ago to help residents benefit more from local sheep production, as well as selling raw yarn and woollen products to other local producers and retailers.

Commenting on the development of the business, Norman Bayley, YfNR company secretary said: "Spinning our own fleeces will enable us to produce a much wider range of products and enter exciting new markets.  More importantly though, the project will result in up to four new jobs for our very fragile but beautiful Island.

"Without financial support from Orkney Enterprise we would not have been able to go ahead with the development of the business.  Everyone on the Island is really enthusiastic about the mini mill and there is a new air of confidence about the community."

With assistance from Orkney Enterprise totalling £58,100, which includes £38,700 from the European-funded LEADER+ programme, YfNR was able to purchase the mini mill, which has been installed in the company's brand new premises on the Island - a converted lighthouse engine room!

The North Ronaldsay Trust (NRT) is buying the Island's redundant lighthouse buildings and former staff cottages with assistance from the Community Land Unit at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  With further financial support from Orkney Enterprise totalling £24,650 the NRT has already converted the engine room into a craft workshop for lease to YfNR.

The NRT has further development plans in mind for the property including the establishment of a café and gift shop - where YfNR woollen goods can be sold to visitors - and the renovation of the former lighthouse keepers cottages into high quality self-catering properties.
 
Billy Muir of NRT said: "We still have to secure funding for the next stages of our project but we are confident we can achieve these aims.  In the meantime, we are delighted with the completion of the workshop for YfNR."
 
In addition to the support from Orkney Enterprise, further attention is being paid to North Ronaldsay later today when the HIE board of directors visits the Island.

Members of the board along with HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming will see first hand the developments taking place on the Island in a bid to boost economic activity, strengthen the community and in turn, reverse population decline.  The group will visit YfNR's new workshop and see the mini mill in action.

Chief executive of Orkney Enterprise, Ken Grant said: "We are delighted that the HIE board and senior HIE staff are able to visit North Ronaldsay on their trip to Orkney this week.

"North Ronaldsay is our most remote and fragile island with a population of just 60, which is why we are keen to invest in these very worthwhile projects and promote further development on the Island.

"The renovation of the former lighthouse buildings will provide a focus for local enterprises and tourism activity while the purchase of a mini mill for 'A Yarn from North Ronaldsay' will help residents achieve maximum value for their products."