Anyone thinking about starting up their own business is being invited along to the Mind Your Own Business trade fair, which is taking place on Saturday 19th February as part of the Go Fort William programme of events.

The Lochaber trade fair is aimed at helping those who are considering self-employment to find out more about it, and to provide them with the information that will allow them to take the next step.

There will be short training seminars on business skills and development, and one-to-one advice will be available from representatives of local support agencies.

The trade fair will coincide with workshops on the music industry from Hi-Arts and new media from AIMhi and Musicians' Union, and follows on from the successful Go North event which took place in Inverness in September. 

The weekend's events are being organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and Careers Scotland, and the Mind Your Own Business trade fair is being hosted locally by Lochaber Enterprise.

Business people who have successfully been through the process of setting up their own company will be on hand to answer questions and share experiences. The exhibitors will come from a wide range of businesses, and will include a printer, stonemason, signmaker, musician and various crafts people.

Advisers from Lochaber Enterprise, PSYBT and Careers Scotland will be available to discuss ideas and give advice on the next stage of setting up in business.

Brian Weaver, business starts manager at HIE, said: "This will be a fantastic opportunity to speak to the people who have been through the challenges of setting up a business and getting an idea off the ground.

"Although it will coincide with the music seminars of the Go Fort William event, the trade fair is for anyone of any age, looking to start up a business of any kind.

"There will be business advisers on hand to speak to potential entrepreneurs wishing to find out more and to help them take the next step in starting up in business, as well as existing businesses looking for ways to develop."

The Mind Your Own Business trade fair will take place on Saturday 19th February, upstairs in McTavish's Kitchen, High Street, Fort William, from 10am until 4pm.