A Skye stonemason is one of only three people in the UK to be accepted on a prestigious training scheme to learn the specialist skills required to repair some of the country's most historic buildings.

The William Morris Craft Fellowship for outstanding craftsmen was founded by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and Niall Tonagh from Waternish was accepted on to the Fellowship's six month training course earlier this year.

Having completed the first four months of the course where he travelled around the UK studying at first hand a wide range of building types, repair methods and materials, he is now waiting to complete the final leg in October.

Being self-employed, Mr Tonagh has to close his business while he is away, but Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE) were able to help him with his course costs with a £1500 workforce development grant.

Mr Tonagh said:  "I have visited a wide range of buildings already, from St Pauls Cathedral to the Channel Tunnel, and have picked up a lot of new and useful skills.  I've also made many new contacts with other craftsmen who I can get in touch with if I ever need their help or advice, so it has been a really useful experience.

"Although the Fellowship gives me an allowance while I am training, the travel costs are so much more than the other students because I have to travel from Skye, so I really couldn't have managed without the extra money I got from SALE."

Claire Campbell from SALE said:  "Many of the businesses here on Skye have only one or two employees, which can make it difficult for them to take time off for training.  Our workforce development grants are there to help companies with the costs associated with training, and hopefully help to overcome some of the financial obstacles they face.

"Niall is committed to developing his business and realises the long-term benefits that can be gained from taking time out for training at this stage, and we are pleased to have been able to help him."