Several firms in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) area have been successful at this year's Winners@Web competition, organised by Scottish Enterprise and HIE.

Taking the top spot in the 'Best Use of Broadband' category was Argyll-based recruitment company, Latitude 56 Ltd. Established by brothers Paul and David Clough, this web-based communications company operates two recruitment websites, www.greenenergyjobs.com and www.museumjobs.com, which are both now market leaders.  Operating from a 'green' office - which is off-grid and wind-powered - in Ardfern, Latitude 56 uses a satellite broadband system, which was installed in 2002 with help from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise.

Inverness-based company, Wilderness Cottages was named 'Best e-Tourism Business'.  The company was set up by Andy and Rosemary Holt in 1993 and markets a collection of 22 self-catering holiday cottages in the Loch Ness area.  Wilderness Cottages conducts about 90 per cent of its business over the web.  Inverness and Nairn Enterprise helped the business meet the cost of developing its website.

Finally, Wild West Foods (UK) Ltd in Stornoway walked away from the awards ceremony with not one but two commended accolades in both the 'Best e-Business Start-Up' and 'Best Micro Business' categories.  Wild West Foods (UK) Ltd was set up by beef jerky fan Richard Davies in 2001 and is the first online shop supplying real beef jerky to customers in the UK and Europe via www.wildwestjerky.co.uk
 
Now in its sixth year, Winners@Web is open to companies making innovative use of the Internet to improve their business performance.  This year's winners were announced at a ceremony in the Glasgow Hilton on Friday night (19th September).