Two Skye firms specialising in the Gaelic music industry are hitting the right notes on the world wide web.

Music publishers Taigh na Teud, based in Upper Breakish, and the Macmeanmna recording business from Portree are exploiting new technologies to stay ahead in their respective markets.

The new systems installed by both firms have been made possible thanks to advice and financial assistance from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, through their E-Business Support Programme.

Taigh na Teud, which was established in 1998 by husband and wife team Alasdair and Christine Martin, has introduced an integrated e-commerce website and on-line shop for Scottish traditional sheet music.

This has allowed them to build on their existing mail-order business and provide customers with secure on-line purchasing.

The couple have gradually developed their publishing business since setting up and produce a mail-order catalogue which contains more than 100 books related to traditional music.

Three years ago they developed a website which attracted 2000 'e-hits' a month, generating 12.5% of total sales, but the couple decided to modernise the system.  They now boast an improved up-to-date website with a secure online shop, which is boosting sales - available on www.scotlandsmusic.com.

The new technology also allows Taigh na Teud to provide tunes in digital audio format as online samples for free downloading.

Making the project possible was a £3,036 grant from SALE and a further £3,864 from the European Regional Development Fund, with the remaining 50% coming from their own private funding.

Mr Martin said: "We are selling to a worldwide market and having such a modern and professional-looking set up is helping us tremendously.  SALE have been extremely helpful in achieving this, both financially and with advice."

Macmeanmna, meanwhile, was established in 1987 and has developed into an established music recording business.

They have released 23 albums so far and also act as a management company and distributor for various musicians and singers.

The business is a partnership of Feisean nan Gaidheal director and Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack, broadcaster and photographer Cailean MacLean, teacher and singer Shona MacDonald, and Gaelic singer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.

They have now established an interactive portal for Gaelic music - available on www.gaelicmusic.com - that promotes the sales of all their products and services.

The system offers secure online sales for CDs, books and individual downloadable songs and there are around 500 products available on the site.

Other features include a dedicated samples area - including access to lyrics and translations - full site search, latest news and album reviews, an e-newsletter and a related links area.

The £17,400 project received £4,872 funding from SALE, a further £3,828 from the European Regional Development Fund and £4,350 of Scottish Arts Council Lottery cash, with the remainder being privately funded.

Arthur Cormack said: "We needed a website which would increase sales of our own products, but also Gaelic CDs in general, and we are working towards that.  The assistance we got from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise was both practical and financial, and was added to finance we had already been given by the Scottish Arts Council to develop the label in general."

He added: "We worked with two local companies - Gaelnet and Scotland Creates - in designing the site, and although there is still a lot to be done to it, our own website sales have increased by around 200% with the new, secure, site."

Calum MacPherson, SALE's Head of Development, said: "The importance of e-business to these companies is very significant considering the distances involved in their respective markets.  They have both worked extremely hard to get where they are and we wish them every success for the future."