Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

The founder of a rural Garden Centre has taken home a cash prize of £1000 and the title of 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' at the 2009 Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Highland regional awards. Twenty-six-year-old Katrina McDowell, founder of the Old Orchard Garden Centre, accepted the prize at an awards ceremony held at the Town House in Inverness on 16th September.

Katrina opened the Garden Centre in May last year following the birth of her son. Deciding on a change of career and enthused by the idea of being her own boss, she now runs this thriving business in the centre of the village of Morvern, providing fresh vegetables, shrubs, trees, plants and gardening supplies to a growing customer base throughout the Ardnamurchan peninsula and beyond.

Tulloch Homes sponsored the £1000 prize. David Sutherland from the company said, "Youth enterprise is something to be recognised and applauded, as these young people are helping themselves, their local community and the economy. These Awards are essential in encouraging a culture that values business ambition and innovation and we are delighted to support PSYBT in creating this entrepreneurial environment."

Katrina will now be considered by a judging panel to be entered into the national final taking place in Glasgow in November. Six of the eighteen regional winners are selected to compete for the national title of 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' and the opportunity to win an additional £2000.

Runners up for the Highland award were The Duplets, a young harp and song duo from Arisaig. Fraya Thomsen and Gillian Fleetwood produce lively, rhythmic jigs and reels, delicate slow airs and compassionate song accompaniments. They received a certificate and a cash prize of £500, which was sponsored by Highland Opportunity.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, PSYBT regional co-ordinator, Alithea Watson said, "Both companies have demonstrated drive, ambition and enthusiasm for taking good ideas and transforming them into successful, thriving businesses. We wish them every success in the future."

Help and advice from PSYBT 

Both the winner and the runners up received funding, advice and support from PSYBT, which during the last twenty years, has supported 11,000 young people to start almost 9,000 businesses, providing £31.7 million in funding and additional assistance.

If you want to know more about the kind of help available visit the PSYBT website. You can read interviews with rural enterpreneurs, some of whom received help from the PSYBT, by going to our Your Enterprise archive.