A pipemaker, a craftswoman and a candlemaker have all got their new businesses off to a good start with help from the local enterprise company.

Isle of Muck musician Ian Ketchin aims to hit the high notes with his new business manufacturing smallpipes from his island home.

He has been able to turn his life-long passion for the bellows-blown bagpipes into a full-time business with help from 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.

His new venture, Smallpipes from the Small Isles, makes him the only manufacturer of Scottish and Northumbrian smallpipes in the Highlands and Islands area.  And with 25 years experience of making the instruments as an amateur, together with a recent win in the pipemaking category at the Northumbrian Pipers Society Championships in October last year, his reputation has already earned him a number of orders from as far afield as Dorset.
 
After many years as an arts and crafts tutor, Jean Campbell has turned her talent for producing stained glassware towards starting a new business to sell her crafts and share her skills.

She has opened Studio Six at her home in Strontian, and has just taken delivery of a new kiln to begin production of a range of fused glassware, stained glass and other glass products.  She hopes to compliment this during the quieter winter months with crafts tutoring, where she will teach glass painting, mosaic and sculpture techniques, as well as a wide variety of other craft skills.

She received a £450 HIE Starts grant and an allowance to help her during the first few months of trading.

The third business to receive HIE Starts support from Lochaber Enterprise is Glenfinnan Candles.

Colin Morley has recently taken over the candlemaking business from previous owner Jim Hunter who, after 28 years making candles, took the decision to retire.

Now, with a new owner and new premises opposite the Princes House Hotel in Glenfinnan, production of the company's trademark Anti-Midge Candles and Bothy Nite-Lites can begin once again.

Having carried out major renovation work to the workshop, Mr Morley is able to offer visitors to the premises the chance to find out more about his craft in the specially designed workshop area.  He has a range of candles available to buy on site and plans to supplement sales through local retailers.

Mr Morley also receives a HIE Starts allowance as well as a £500 grant.

Charlotte Wright, acting chief executive of Lochaber Enterprise said:

"New businesses, no matter how small, are the key to the area's future economic prosperity and we are delighted to be able to help three new ones get started.

"It can be a daunting process, but hopefully our HIE Starts scheme will offer them some reassurance while they get on their feet."