awards 2019 2019 souvenir special
Main sponsors
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CITY LIVING GREENFIELDS I FAIRVIEW THE PARKS I WESTER INSHES
H i ghl a n d B u s i ness W omen Aw a r d s E v en i ng : The MacDonald Drumossie Hotel, Inverness 6:30pm Jillian Sharp
Highland Business Women, President
welcome to you all
EV ENI NG
P r og r a mme :
Drinks reception Welcome by Nicola McAlley Hit or Miss game President’s welcome Finalists presentation (certificates and photocall) Dinner Comfort Break Keynote speaker Eve Poole Awards Ceremony and winners announced
Jillian Sharp HBW President
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Evening Host & Guest Speaker
Nicola McAlley hosts the evening’s awards with guest speaker Eve Poole
Last Year’s Winners
6&7
What the category award winners from 2018 have to say 10 & 11
The Nominees
This year’s HBW Award Finalists 12
Our Sponsors
Introduction from our sponsors 14 & 15
The Judges
Introduction from our judges 16 & 17
2018 Photo Gallery
A look back at the 2018 Highland Business Women Awards When you have finished with this publication please recycle it
Cover photo © Alison White Photography
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Carriages – 12.45am
economy of the Highlands. As well as providing a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the achievements of HBW members over the last year, we are delighted to be joined this year by Eve Poole – author, speaker and pioneer of the leadersmithing movement. Following dinner and the awards, this evening’s entertainment will be led by Dark Horse, and keeping us in check throughout proceedings is STV’s own Nicola McAlley. On behalf of the HBW Board of Directors, the very best of luck to all finalists and wishing you all a wonderful evening.
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Music by Dark Horse
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elcome to Highland Business Women’s annual awards ceremony and dinner, a celebration of the talented and diverse business community operating in the Highlands. Designed to recognise the contribution made by women to all types of businesses and organisations in the area, tonight’s awards will recognise those individuals and organisations who go above and beyond, who are innovative in approach, who value their staff, and who make a significant contribution to the
Nicola McAlley
Freelance writer, editor, event and conference host
Evening Host
N
icola McAlley is a reporter for STV News, based in Inverness and covering the Highlands and Islands.
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© Ian Knox
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As well as her day job, Nicola regularly hosts black tie and dinner events locally, including charity fundraisers and awards ceremonies.
Nicola is a recognisable personality in these parts and kindly gives up much of her time to many local charities, including ‘Step up for Sam’, a charity set up to help support ongoing therapies for her nephew, Sam. Nicola is also an ambassador for Birchwood Highland, winners of last year’s HBW Best Third Sector Organisation award.
Eve Poole
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Guest Speaker
r Eve Poole is Chairman of the Board of Governors at Gordonstoun. She is also the Third Church Estates Commissioner for England, with a particular brief for the governance of cathedrals. She is the author of several books, including Leadersmithing, which was Highly Commended in the 2018 Business Book Awards and was described by Joanna Lumley as ‘inspirational, practical and fascinating.’ She has a BA from Durham, an MBA from Edinburgh, and a PhD in theology and capitalism from Cambridge. For 15 years she taught leadership at Ashridge Business School, where she pioneered a new approach to the accelerated development of leaders, using ground-breaking neurobiological
research into how leaders really learn. Leadersmithing is a method of developing leaders that rediscovers the craft of leading, and takes seriously the need for leaders to acquire ‘muscle memory’ for leading well under pressure. She has a particular interest in women’s leadership, and how more women can be encouraged to take on senior leadership roles. Before she joined Ashridge, she worked for Deloitte Consulting, where she specialised in change management for the Financial Services sector. Eve lives in Edinburgh and has twin girls. She is a regular contributor to Thought for the Day for BBC Radio Scotland. You can follow her on twitter @evepoole and she blogs at http://evepoole.com/
RUNNING A BUSINESS? connect with us You know your business, but Business Gateway Highland provide the missing piece to help take it to the next level. Would you like: • A second opinion on your business plans from one of our experienced advisers? • To access specialist support on a wide range of business queries?
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Connect with us. Visit www.bgateway.com/highland or call 01463 898 466
Last Year’s Award Winners
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We were thrilled to receive awards in two categories at the Highland Business Women Awards last year. Just over five years ago, I realised the importance of there being support for local businesses especially in rural areas - and how crucial it was for them to have a stronger voice. I formed Exclamation Marketing and we offer digital marketing services to the Highlands and Islands and surrounding areas. We help grow businesses by implementing effective marketing strategies and ensuring all our clients have an online presence that is visible and credible. The last five years have been dedicated to continuous growth and development in an everchanging and demanding industry; we see the awards as recognition for the hard work and devotion of the team and to all of those who have supported us in our journey so far. The awards not only helped us to celebrate the company’s achievements but also inspired us to focus on some very exciting future plans. Writing the award applications can often seem like a daunting task, especially when as a small business owner you have a million other things to do. However, I found the experience extremely positive as it actually forces you to take time to look at how far you have come, what’s been achieved and where you want the business to be in the future. The time spent entering awards was more an investment than a cost. Even if you don’t win, being part of the whole experience can be incredibly rewarding. The awards brought some great publicity and is immeasurable in terms of its importance for women in business in the Highlands.
Katrina Mather
Anisha Macdermid
The HBW Awards is a fantastic celebration of female-led businesses in the Scottish Highlands. Being nominated for two awards last year and winning the ‘Most Enterprising Business’ Award 2018 was an incredible boost, both personally and professionally. An award like this not only helps to raise your profile and brand awareness, but also adds extra credibility and confidence in the work that you do. The Body Toolkit Retreats have enjoyed yet another record year, having recently moved location to Arisaig House, and continue to attract clients from all over the world looking to supercharge their health and wellbeing whilst immersed in the Highlands. www.thebodytoolkit.com
It was a privilege to simply be nominated for, let alone win, the Highland Business Women’s Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility award last year after raising more than £6,000 in support of Crocus Group. As personal injury solicitors we encounter bereaved families every day after they have been affected by complex situations like road collisions or work-related injuries. That’s why the inspirational work of Crocus Group – which offers emotional support to bereaved children – really resonated with our Inverness-based team. Helping others matter. Improving your local area matters. And we hope the HBW continues to recognise, inspire and lead local individuals and organisations as they turn their goals and visions for a better community into a reality. Sarah Newman, Solicitor Digby Brown, won the award for Excellence in Corporate and Social Responsibility.
Crocus Group
Last Year’s Award Winners I was absolutely delighted to win Business Woman of the Year last year, as it’s an honour to even be linked with such amazing women as a finalist, so to win it exceeded all my expectations. Dolphin Spirit was started in 2015 and in the last 4 years I’ve seen it expand by 250%. It’s very hard work starting a business from scratch and winning Best New Business in our 1st year in 2016 let us know we were on the right track. To add this award has given our company confidence going forward. I love meeting with HBW each month and I’m especially looking forward to hosting a HBW event in June this year. I congratulate all the finalists getting this far and would encourage them to take every opportunity that arises from this platform. Yvette Hogan
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Birchwood Highland has achieved so much over the last few years; raising our profile significantly across the Highlands and beyond; gaining the support of many local businesses, and really stepping up our fundraising efforts. All of this is amongst an extremely busy time for our vital day-to-day services, providing 24/7 support to people experiencing mental ill health across communities in the Highlands. However, receiving the award for ‘Best Third Sector Organisation’ at the Highland Business Women Awards last year was amongst one of our greatest achievements, and the title is one we announce proudly, at any given opportunity. Receiving the award for the third time really was in recognition of the incredible hard work and dedication of everyone working and volunteering with Birchwood Highland, and in turn, contributed to a huge morale boost amongst staff and service users alike. Equally importantly, in terms of our mental health anti-stigma work - and as mental ill health affects 1 in 3 people in the Highlands - receiving the award for ‘Best Third Sector Organisation’ has provided us with a fantastic platform to work alongside Highland Business Women and their members to encourage further discussion and around mental health in the workplace. We are so grateful to all of the Directors and members of Highland Business Women who have helped us achieve so many wonderful outcomes over the last few years, and we would strongly encourage any other third sector organisations to apply for this award in the future - it can really put a smile on the faces of staff, volunteers and service users.
Have to say, I was pretty shocked to have won New Business of the Year 2018! In a room full of incredibly successful business women, I felt very much the newbie! Shocked, but incredibly pleased. Bad Girl Bakery started as a tiny, home based business so to see its growth and achievements recognised in this way was a huge honour and to get such positive feedback from the judges was encouraging and inspiring, not only for me, but for the team of amazing people we work with. When we stated Bad Girl, we had no idea what would happen and we spent so much time worrying that no one would come, we didn’t give any thought to success or growth, but it’s been an incredible year of expansion, new contacts product development and growth. To win an award like this one, that recognises the risk, hard work and challenges that face new businesses is something we are incredibly proud of and have no doubt that it’s had a positive effect on our business.
Jeni Hardie
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Màiri Macdonald
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bout Highland Business Women. Founded in 1995, Highland Business Women is a networking and support organisation for business women throughout the Highlands. We have a varied and vibrant membership, and welcome members from all sectors. We are affiliated to the Association of Scottish Business Women (ASB) and members can attend affiliate meetings held in other areas of Scotland. Did you know that Highland Business Women won ASB’s ‘Best Affiliated Group of 2016’? We also work closely with our sister club Moray Business Women,
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Highland Business Women
organising joint events annually, and members from both associations are warmly welcomed at all events. Events Our events typically take place on the first Wednesday of each month and usually feature a guest speaker, a two-course meal and networking opportunities. Events are attended by members, guests, and potential new members. We sometimes hold additional meetings, as well as lunchtime events, when necessity or demand dictates. Membership Any woman, whether an employee, employer, self-employed, a volunteer,
or even a retiree, can join the organisation. With individual and corporate membership options, joining Highland Business Women can benefit you or your business in many ways; • Networking opportunities to grow your business and develop your ideas • A chance to share experiences and knowledge • We inspire the Highland business community by raising the profile of our members within and beyond our network. Meet the Team Highland Business Women Ltd is
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managed by a group of Directors, a committee of members who are guided by the company’s Articles. Current Board Directors are as follows: Jillian Sharp (President), Marie Mackintosh, Mairi Macdonald, Jane Hillier, Gemma Campbell. Contact For more information on Highland Business Women, including membership details, and news and events, please visit www.hbw.scot or contact us on info@hbw.scot
stablished in 1995, the Highland Business Women promote a vibrant and dynamic business community in the Highlands. This non profit organisation provides a forum for business women throughout the Highlands to regularly meet, network, connect and supports business and professional development.
Charity of the year
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BW’s chosen charity for 2019 is The Oxygen Works, originally known as the MS Therapy Centre Inverness.
The Oxygen Works has grown significantly over the past few decades and continues to help people with a variety of medical conditions. The centre was purpose-built in 1992 through the efforts of a group of local people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). After four years of fundraising, with help from friends, families and the local business community, the centre opened its doors. Since opening, the centre has been providing practical and emotional support to all of its members; offering access to a wide range of therapies, allowing people the opportunity to self-manage their symptoms. You can find out more about the Oxygen Works at
www.theoxygenworks.com Contact Details: The Oxygen Works Burnett Road, Inverness, IV1 1TF T. 01463 240 365 Registered Charity No: SC020475
the nominees Best New Business
Redstart UK
sponsored by
Orrin Equestrian
DeepMiner
Chanonry Payroll Solutions
Behind The Scenes VA
Most Enterprising Business
FITkidz Academy
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sponsored by
Planit Scotland
Loch Ness Spirits
“Shining Star� Award for
Inverness Travel
sponsored by
Most Inspiring Woman in Business
Lorien Cameron-Ross
Our House of Spice
Naomi Campbell
Anna Czekala
Emma Mulraine
Business Woman of the Year
Naomi Campbell
Anna Czekala
Alex Frew
Sarah Murray
Team of the Year
Nadine Riddell
Jo De Sylva
Planit Scotland
The Oxygen Works
sponsored by
Alert Health Ltd
Bad Girl Bakery
Highland and Islands Enterprise Energy Team
Inverness Travel
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Best Third-Sector Organisation
Fiona Dalgetty
Karen Patience
Excellence in Community Engagement
Sally Cooper
Alison Mackenzie
The Oxygen Works
Many thanks to our sponsors for their support
With over 90 years’ experience and 95% customer recommended feedback, Tulloch Homes is proud of its Highland heritage, delivering a great choice of high quality new homes in the best locations in Scotland, including Inverness, North Kessock, Conon Bridge, Muir of Ord, Fortrose, Aberdeen, Glenrothes and East Kilbride. The superior finishes and high quality fittings in every home, together with fresh contemporary interiors, and energy saving features mean you are assured of a stylish, well built home in a desirable location. Tulloch Homes – the byword in new homes.
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Local and Proud
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As the economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands, HIE actively promotes the important role of women entrepreneurs in business and social enterprise within the Highlands and Islands. We also contribute to the Scottish Government women in enterprise groups which are tackling the gender gap in enterprise. We want to see women led businesses succeeding, growing and making an increasing contribution to the Scottish economy. HIE’s membership and support of Highland Business Women enables us to network with real women in business and improve our knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting them. HIE encourages our staff to attend HBW events to share our knowledge and contacts, increasing communications between female business leaders. We also host meetings allowing us to disseminate information of interest. Networking is a two-way street and staff also learn from the informative sessions. Above all, HIE staff love meeting likeminded women who are passionate about building successful businesses and social enterprises in this fantastic region.
Established in 1747, The Press and Journal, often called the P&J, is Scotland’s oldest newspaper. Born out of the Battle of Culloden, the P&J started as, and remains to be, local to Inverness and the Highlands. It is a daily morning newspaper, printed in compact form 6 days a week and produces 4 editions every day. The Press and Journal offers a wide variety of supplements - from the latest oil and gas news, to planning your weekend The Press and Journal appeals to many different tastes. The addition of The Leader supplement, also appeals to the wide and varied business community across the Highlands and Moray. The Press and Journal circulation is officially audited and has a daily circulation of 43,749, making it the highest circulation of any regional newspaper in Scotland. With a loyal and trusting readership, appearing in the Press and Journal can be done with confidence. Situated at Stoneyfield Business Park, and with a local staff of over 30, the Press & Journal in Highlands and Moray has its own editorial, creative, circulation and advertising departments. The P&J are delighted to be sponsoring the “Team of The Year” Award this evening.
Business Gateway Highland supports new and growing businesses. Experts in business planning, our advice is free and impartial. Our many free workshops across Highland include branding, marketing, digital, tax planning and record keeping. So, if you want to know how to read a profit and loss account, or deliver your services on your socials then we can assist. Our specific growth programmes can help with leadership, motivation and entrepreneurial skills. Our one to one support can help your business to grow and perhaps deliver your business into an even more successful enterprise. Click onto bgateway.com, or our local Business Gateway Facebook pages for more information.
One of the key aims for Inverness & Central Highland Developing the Young Workforce (DYWICH) employers group is to develop sustainable links between schools, colleges and employers. Working with employers we aim to inspire & Inform our future workforce as to the breadth of career opportunities there are here in the Highlands. Our partnership with Highland Business Women presents a huge opportunity for us to role model successful women in business to young students and by encouraging and sharing experience, inspire them to areas of business that they would not have previously considered. All of which supports the ongoing creation of a talented, diverse young workforce ready to meet employability opportunities in the Highlands. DYWICH are delighted to continue our support of the HBW awards and wish every entrant every success for the awards and the future. If you would like to be part of future Highland Business Womens events or sponsorship please contact Jillian Sharp, Highland Business Womens President by email: info@hbw.scot
Judges
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anny Gallagher is a private and public sector manager with over 30 years’ experience. A former day time radio presenter, he was a managing director with Scotland’s leading commercial radio group for over two decades. He delivered a significant increase in profits and multiple UK and Scottish awards for stations MFR and Radio Borders.
For the last four years Danny has headed up Business Gateway for the Highlands and Moray. His role includes managing and monitoring the contract; maximising efficient use of the operational budget; steering the experienced team in fresh directions; reviewing internal and external processes; overseeing robust monitoring of KPIs; supporting partnership working; and representing Business Gateway Highland and Moray at all levels including with the
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media, trade associations and government bodies. Danny says his main objective at Business Gateway has been to put commercial acumen at the heart of the service with a focus on measurable performance and exceptional customer care. Business Gateway Highland returned an all-time high start-up rate in Danny’s second year in the job and has increased its growing businesses by over 60% since 2016.
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yndsey is the current President of the Association of Scottish Business
Lyndsey Greer Phillips Judge
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sla is company secretary for family firm, R&I Cruden Ltd, based at Muir of Ord. She joined the business fulltime in June 2014. Prior to that she was a solicitor in Dingwall, Elgin, Aberdeen and Inverness. Isla moved to teach at Inverness College in 1992. In 2004, she joined the University of the Highlands & Islands as Compliance officer, and then back to teaching for a short period before joining
Women. A single mum, she is a Client Relationship Director with the Institute of Customer Service, previously having run her own Customer Experience Consultancy for eight years, working with clients on Business Strategy, Positive
the family business. R&I Cruden Ltd are heating engineers specialising in renewable technologies. They service, install and maintain all types of heating systems in both domestic and commercial properties. They still support the more traditional heating systems of gas, oil and solid fuel, but encourage people to consider renewable technologies such as biomass, Ground and Air Source heat pumps, Solar PV (Electric
Mindset and Behavioural Change, Team Building and Coaching. Lyndsey and her daughter also ran Ayrshire Hampers for the last four years, both businesses winning awards along the way. She has been involved in Scottish Business Mentoring for the last 10 years and is a past Member on the Board of Directors of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce. She graduated from the Open University in
Danny Gallagher Judge
2017 with a BA (Hons) Open degree in Developing Business Strategy and Social Psychology: Critical Analysis of Self and Others. She is a qualified NLP Practitioner and worked with GlaxoSmithKline for eight years in National Accounts. A keen walker, horse lover and cook, she loves to challenge herself to do something new every year.
panels) and Solar Thermal (hot water panels). We are always going to need heat in the Highlands! The business was fortunate to win HBW Business of the year in 2015, and Isla also won Businesswoman of year. Since 2015 the business has grown and now has 20 full time and one part time employees. Isla is well aware of the challenges facing small businesses on a daily basis, and is delighted to be part of the judging panel.
Isla Cruden Judge
Judges
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Jackie Cuddy Judge
Since arriving in the Highlands Jackie has had great involvement with HBW serving on the Committee and as President as well as winning Highland Business Woman
of the Year, Shining Star and Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) Best Business Charity Partnership. She has just been announced as an ASB Women of Inspiration for 2019. Jackie’s support of local charities such as Alzheimers Scotland, Archie Foundation, Maggies and Highland Hospice through the organisation of Ladies lunches, dinners and events has raised over £200,000 for local charities.
generation to become the business leaders of tomorrow. Prior to her role at DYW, Eilidh worked for RBS for over 15 years, employed latterly as Business Manager and also serving as Branch Manager in Inverness for over 6 years.
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strong working partnerships between education and industry, reinforcing the links between learning and the world of work. Eilidh uses her position at DYW to act as an advocate for young women across the Highlands, helping empower and inspire the next
Arcadian Centre in Birmingham before moving on to manage The Pavilions in the heart of Birmingham. During this time she chaired BCSC West Midlands, became a Director of the Birmingham Jazz Festival and was instrumental in setting up Birmingham’s first BID, Retail Birmingham.
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ilidh is Operations Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Inverness and Central Highland; a Scottish Government initiative designed to build
ackie Cuddy moved from Birmingham to the Highlands in 2004 to take over as Centre Manager of Eastgate Centre. Having obtained a Masters in Business Administration specialising in marketing from Aston University she went on to work as Head of Marketing for Birmingham City Council Leisure Services. From there Jackie went into shopping centre asset management firstly launching the new
Eilidh Edgar Judge
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heresa Swayne is a Senior Development Manager in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Business and Sector Development Directorate, focussed on Digital Innovation and Technology.
Theresa Swayne Judge
Theresa is responsible for HIE’s Digital Engagement programme which supports businesses across the region with digital masterclasses, 1-1 specialist advice, digital strategy development and Cyber Security. Theresa’s team created the template for the national Digital Engagement
programme (now DigitalBoost) in 2011 and introduced a digital demonstration and showcase centre called #hellodigital in 2016. In addition, they have piloted a range of Digital Scotland initiatives, alongside the superfast broadband roll-out awareness raising, including digital tourism and digital voucher schemes. Theresa represents HIE on a number of national multi-agency project teams including The Data Lab Innovation Centre phase 2, Cyber Resilience and Internet of Things (IoT) Scotland and invests time building strong
collaborations. Theresa joined HIE as a Business Information Manager then Skills Manager in 2001 and is a graduate of the University of Abertay Dundee with a BA Information Management (1994) and MSc Information Technology (1999). She previously worked at the James Hutton Institute and NHS in Dundee in Information Management and IT roles before relocating to Highland in 2000. She currently lives in Rossshire with her young family and works from HIE’s An Lochran building at the Inverness Campus.
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Make a difference The University Scholarship Fund was originally set up through kind donations from individuals and businesses. Over the last few years it’s played a significant role in enabling many of our students to progress through their studies. These £1000 scholarships are needed now more than ever. Last year we saw over 90 applications for 20 awards. We need new donations to allow this valuable support to continue. Everything we receive, from small regular donations through to annual gifts, will make a real difference.
“ Without this scholarship I would have struggled to stay in education. I now know I want to be involved in the planning and running of large scale events in the future.”
“Having the financial burden lifted off my shoulders has been a huge life saver. Thank you to the university for helping me along my journey.”
Chloe MacRae
Jocelyn McLaren If you would like to help our students achieve their ambitions please contact:
Alison Wilson Head of Development Tel: +44(0)1463 279423 Email: alison.wilson@uhi.ac.uk
The Development Office, University of the Highlands and Islands, Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5SQ www.uhi.ac.uk/donate