Highland Recharge

If it's April or October it must be Highland Recharge time. This Prince's Trust programme takes a group of young people on the rather splendid Fingal of Caledonia along Loch Ness to take part in team-building and personal development activities. Skippered by Martin Balcombe, the barge also includes resident instructors in addition to the very able Joanne and Philly from the Prince's Trust

This very worthwhile and inspirational programme was under threat earlier this year but thankfully was rescued in the nick of time.

PSYBT takes a part in talking to the group about enterprise and the opportunities for self-employment. This particular trip also involved Kate MacKie, the new Grampian PSYBT manager as part of her induction programme.

(This is Kate at the Falls of Foyers as we were waiting for the barge to arrive. Not quite the adrenalin-overdosing activity that Kate is used to but pleasant nonetheless.)

Adam Simpson

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Adam Simpson. Adam was one of the founders of Development Partners, who now provide business training throughout the Highlands & Islands, but it was as one half of Simpson Dalgarno back in the early days of PSYBT and Highland Opportunity Limited that Adam first made an impact directly on us and our clients. Supportive, motivational and funny, Adam will be deeply missed. Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to his family.

Fashionable Gairloch

We were very pleased to attend the Gairloch High School Fashion Show. About 150 people watched pupils (and staff) model clothes and accessories supplied by local, national and Fair Trade outlets.

Initiated by dynamic Maths Teacher, Jim Sutherland (with some support in the early stages from Anne MacDonald, PSYBT Ambassador), the students themselves negotiated with fashion suppliers, arranged the lighting, stage design and music and also produced a fantastic buffet for the capacity audience. In addition, £300 was raised for chosen charities.

There were also barnstorming performances by some of the teachers who seemed to have missed their true vocations on the catwalks of Milan or Paris.

Awards in Orkney

Orkney took part in this year's PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Awards for the first time.

An invited audience saw Jenna Flett and her fashion shop "Transition" take the top prize of £600. Kirsteen Stewart, textile designer and Britt Harcus were joint runners-up with cash prizes sponsored by Orkney Islands Council.

(Talking of whom; it was great to catch up with Shona Croy, Head of Economic Development, again. Shona was responsible for the original launch of PSYBT in Orkney.)


The RBS prize was presented by Bill Barbour from the Bank (we'll get him on the Panel yet) and guest speaker, local entrepreneur Leanne Rendall, described her own experiences in taking over a business after a career in the Law.

(Incidentally retail fans, Leanne owns Trenabies cafe in Kirkwall which also has an incredible Aladdin's Cave of a Fair Trade shop upstairs. Amazing.)

Picture from Orkney Today. (Thanks to them for their brilliant coverage of the event and for not using any photographs of me)

Thanks to the Albert Hotel for their hospitality and tolerance, and thanks above all to the winning team of Alithea Watson and local chair, Karen Scholes, for organising the whole thing.

Polo at the Palace

PSYBT was again the favoured charity at this year's Randox International Polo Event at Scone Palace in Perth. As part of the event several PSYBT clients were invited to attend. Among them were Britt Harcus from Orkney (pictured at the event by PSYBT Fundraising Manager, Becca Logan).

Our very own Graeme MacKay and his band entertained everyone at a posh but apparently riotous ceilidh afterwards. (By the way, congratulations to Graeme and his wife on their latest arrival).

Much-needed funds were raised for PSYBT, the clients made money and new friends; so congrats to Becca and her team for another great event.