Lochaber's Pride & Produce 2007

The second Lochaber’s Pride & Produce event took place on Friday 2nd November at the Alexandra Hotel. The evening, hosted by Dougie Vipond recognised Lochaber successes, highlighted local achievements and showcased our wonderful food and creative industry sectors!

The evening was rounded up by Michelle Mone, founder and co-owner of MJM International, a multi-million pound lingerie company.   Michelle has built a hugely successful career on an incredibly simple concept: giving today's women what they want.  Everything Michelle does stems from her ethos of hard work and listening to her customer's needs.

Dougie Vipond

Michelle Mone

The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Lochaber’ award was won by local bus driver Gordon MacKenzie from Kilchoan. Gordon, who received a standing ovation, was nominated for going above & beyond the call of duty during his every working day. The care & help he gives to all his passengers is truly wonderful and his helpfulness, kindness & friendliness to everyone using the bus are exceptional!

Huge congratulations to Gordon and also to the other 7 individuals who were nominated by the public.

The highlight of the night was the excellent fashion show featuring the work of 8 local designers. The talent shown by these designers was outstanding - look out for their names in the future!

All the garments showcased on the catwalk by the stunning models (Models Team Scotland) were original pieces designed and made by each of the designers.   See below for more information on each of them:

Laila Duncan
Laila Duncan is a textile designer with a particular interest in knitwear and fashion. She is inspired by vintage textiles, and clothing with an element of craftsmanship such as lace, beadwork or embroidery.

Laila has combined these crafts with wool and contemporary materials such as rubber, plastic and metal to create heirlooms of the future, creating beautiful garments, which are unique and have an intrinsic value to the wearer.


Kirsty McLennan
Novice fashion designer Kristy McLennan produces High Street fashion inspired by her local surroundings and the couture catwalk. She produces customized one off pieces embellished with intricate charms. Kirsty is a young and talented local designer, eager to pursue a career in fashion.


Mary Carol Souness
An honours degree in contemporary applied arts, weaver Mary Carol Souness has produced for this evening wearable wall art. She has combined her traditional weaving techniques, making the garments not only to wear but as artworks for interiors. Motivated by landscapes, real or imagined, she wishes to offer a contemporary alternative


Helen Finlayson
A twist on outdoor wear Helen Finlayson has taken smart textiles, wind and waterproof fabrics, to a new level of design in providing high fashion garments that are modish, fun and practical. Studying Clothing Design and Manufacture Helen produced this collection in her third year which is very suited to the weather of Fort William’s outdoors!

Jayne Stephen
Jayne Stephen is a skilled Printed Textile designer who creates original pieces using a range of printing and knitting techniques. Her collections range from beads to bags and knitted garments. Currently Jayne is creating ranges from recycled leather selling to boutiques in Glasgow. She takes inspiration from found recycled objects reconstructing them into innovative design.


Jennifer Boulton
A new graduate in textile design Jenny Bolton has just recently completed work experience for Tait and Style. From a farming background, Jenny has always been enthused by natural fibres such as wool and cotton. Her collection this evening is therefore based on an agricultural, high fashion theme, entwining natural fabrics and thistle colour palette with modern silhouettes.


Judy Clark
Bespoke women’s wear fashion designer and illustrator Judy Clark produces couture garments; diverse apparel, quirky handbags and distinctive illustrative work. Each garment artistically made using found fabrics and detailed with embellishments.  Judy’s original designs are retailing in a range of independent boutiques and companies in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Sheana Fraser
A designer of wedding outfits making one-off productions for the girl who wants a unique gown. The individual designs are developed in discussion with the bride; every gown is completely different and never repeated. These specially made gowns are made using luxury fabrics incorporating machine and hand embroidery.

Special thanks to Judy Clark, Debbie Ruzzak and the team for putting on a truly wonderful show.

Music throughout the evening was supplied by the superb Duplets - Scotland's premier young harp duet.  The Duplets -  Fraya Thomsen and Gillian Fleetwood are recognised as two of Scotland's most promising young clarsach players.

Afterwards in the Bar, Claire Innes entertained the guests with her stunning music.

The Duplets and Claire both received start up grants and advice from HIE Lochaber.

The Duplets

The fantastic artwork throughout the hotel, (just seen in the picture on the right) was created by local illustrator Emmy Donaldson.  

And not to be forgotton, the outsanding menu - many of the ingredients sourced from Lochaber food producers was prepared by local chef John Brown and his team at The Alexandra Hotel.  The menu consisted of Terrine of Corrour Venison ~ Duchess of Marine Harvest Salmon ~ Roast Fillet of Scotch beef and Banana Parfait.  The meal concluded with the delicious Butter and Ben Nevis Whisky flavoured tablet from the Ariundle Centre, Strontian. 

For more information on our wonderful local food producers, visit the Lochaber Larder website.

Finally, the auction raised an outstanding £4,265 to which the proceeds will be split between 3 worthy local causes - thank you to everyone who contributed!

This year's Lochaber's Pride & Produce was another great event and has shown the many successes and achievements we have in our area - something which we should all be very proud of.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making the event such a success!