Chocolates of Glensheil Limited was established in 2018 by local teenager, Finlay MacDonald. The company is based in Ratagan on the shores of Loch Duich in Lochalsh.
It has secured a £32,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the cost of the expansion project, which includes upgrading its premises and installing larger scale equipment.
The investment is expected to bring about an increase of more than £200,000 in company turnover and create three new jobs.
Confirming the HIE investment, development manager Caroline Forsyth, said:
“We have been very impressed with the ambition of Chocolates of Glensheil, which is providing valuable employment in a very rural location. This young company sits within the growing food and drink sector, but is also closely aligned with tourism, another growth industry.
“It is in an excellent position to take the next step in its growth journey, and we are delighted to be able to support this investment.”
Chocolates of Glenshiel prides itself on using local and Scottish ingredients such as Skye Salt, Scottish gins and whiskies, to flavour their chocolate products.
Finlay said:
“Following our expansion and the launch of our range of chocolate bars, we are looking to discover a range of delis, gift shops and farm shops where we can showcase and sell our products with.
“This is a really exciting turning point in our business. With our increased capacity, growing team of chocolatiers and gorgeous new look to our products we are ready to reach out to Scotland and beyond with our delicious chocolate.”
An international collaboration project to develop plastic-free food packaging material from food waste, initially langoustine shells, has been awarded £268,284.
R&B Distillers, owners of the Isle of Raasay Distillery, has secured up to £200,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Plans by an adventure tourism company in Argyll to create more choice for visitors and extend to year-round operations, have secured a £70,000 contribution from HIE.
A family run business on the isle of Bute is embarking on a £330,000 expansion project that will double its workforce and boost turnover.
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands looking to develop their use of digital technology and innovation are set to benefit from a new £465,000 support programme.
An ambitious new programme of activities is being developed for the food and drink industry to raise awareness of innovation and opportunities presented by new technologies.
A major fund to keep Scotland at the forefront of low carbon heat innovation is now open for applications.
A public exhibition will be held later this month to review progress on a masterplan for the area’s future.
HIE has approved a £251,575 investment in the design and delivery of an adventure tourism business support programme, believed to be the first of its kind.
TV and film producers in Scotland are being encouraged to apply for a new fund launched today (Friday 6 September).
Eighteen staff at MacTV at Isle of Lewis-based MacTV have been given a stake in the business after it becomes Scotland’s latest employee-owned business.
A social enterprise in Dingwall, Easter Ross has started its own gin production as part of a £222,860 investment.
