Angus and Andrew’s business, Skipinnish Records, is a Highland-based record company which produces and distributes high quality music from the Highland area using a range of young aspiring and established musicians. Their market success is gauged from having a good grasp of their cash flow as well as penetrating the international market through a successful concert in Korea, and having outlets for their music in Canada and New Zealand . They also have a gig lined up at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow this year as well has regularly appearing live on the Robbie Shepard – Take the Floor radio show. Angus and Andrew’s success has been noted as their music has been used on BBC and independent TV programmes.

Skipinnish Records was originally formed to help Angus and Andrew produce the first CD for their band. From this they discovered a gap in the market and now provide help to artists looking to produce and record their own CDs and Albums. Skipinnish Records have big plans for 2005 and have a marketing venture planned in October in Nova Scotia, Canada -  so the money will go to good use by reinvesting in recording artists and promotional material.

Mr Jim McMillan, Royal Bank of Scotland manager who was one of the judges, said: “The title goes to Angus and Andrew because not only does the business have outstanding potential, but Angus and Andrew demonstrated a sound understanding of the importance of thorough preparation, sound business planning and lots of creativity. I wish them good luck for the next stage of the Shell LiveWIRE awards.”

To win, Angus and Andrew beat six other young entrepreneurs from Argyll who have recently started up their own businesses. Angus and Andrew will now represent Argyll at the Scottish final in Glasgow on 17^thMay 2005 .

Commenting on their success, Angus said, “I’m delighted to have won this prestigious Shell LiveWIRE award. It’s a great boost for my business to get this recognition, and I’m looking forward to representing Argyll at the next stage.”

Murdina Macdonald, AIE's deputy chief executive, who presented the awards said: “It’s great that the Shell LiveWIRE Awards give the young people behind these exciting new businesses in Argyll the chance to shout about their success. Shell LiveWIRE is also proud to be helping all young entrepreneurs in Argyll with its free year-round support service, and enabling young people to turn their business ideas into reality.”

Four runner-up prizes were also awarded.

• £600 awarded to Laura and Nicola Meekin - Castle Stalker View Café, Appin;
• £400 awarded to Ben Williams – Cleasan (Event Management), Isle of Tiree;
• £250 awarded to Joseph Teale and Lindsay Sheriff – The Boathouse Café, Isle of Gigha and Robin Wylie – Computer Solutions, Dunoon.

The judging panel comprised: Hilda McGonagall, CEDP manager, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, Neil Matheson, Matheson Furniture Oban, Jim McMillan, manager, Royal Bank of Scotland , Wilma MacKenzie, Luckenbooth Fine Arts, Tarbert.

Shell LiveWIRE is a support service for all 16 to 30 year-olds considering starting or already running a small business. Shell founded and has supported LiveWIRE for more than 20 years, and the programme has now been exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. All 16-30 year-olds who would like to find out how to turn their business ideas into reality can apply for a free Shell LiveWIRE 'Start A Business' toolkit at www.shell-livewire.org

For further information please contact: Janice Brebber, 01546 605437