Getting creative in Skye

A new business in Skye is offering a wide range of services in the creative industries in both Gaelic and English.

Alasdair Campbell is able to provide translation, proof reading, public relations and journalism services from his home on the Sleat peninsula in Skye thanks to a business start up grant from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE).

Brought up in Tobermory, Alasdair gained a first class honours degree in Celtic Studies and Classics from Edinburgh University before going on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Television and Media Studies at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, part of The UHI Millennium Institute.

He also worked as a reporter with the West Highland Free Press for three years before spending a year, until the end of July 2005, on contract as project officer for Iomairt Cholm Chille, based in Sleat.

Having settled in Sleat with his wife Sarah Jane, Alasdair decided to use his experience, qualifications and contacts to work from home offering a full range of services in the media and other creative industries.

Speaking about his new venture Alasdair said: "Although there are a number of people offering similar services, there are few who offer the full range of services that I can and who are also bilingual.

"Two things encouraged me to start my own business: the first was the recent roll-out of broadband to Sleat which means I am in no way disadvantaged working from home, the second was the support from SALE which has helped me to meet the not insignificant start-up costs. They have also been very helpful with advice from the outset.

"Although I only started the business just over a month ago, already I have secured work from clients across Scotland which proves that location is no barrier to success with today's technology."

David Pringle, development manager at SALE, said: "SALE is pleased to have been able to assist in the creation of this dynamic new business and help a young married couple remain in the area.

"The creative industries sector is growing in the Highlands and Islands where advances in technology mean that operators can set up businesses in rural locations providing additional jobs and economic benefits for these areas."