Lochgilphead

A TEAM of young entrepreneurs from Lochgilphead High School is in the national final of a major competition after triumphing in the regional heat.

The West Coasters will compete against teams from across Scotland next month after their success in the Argyll and Bute final of Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) search for company of the year.

The YES company programme sees S5 and S6 pupils set up and run their own companies over the course of the school year.

This year, two Argyll and Bute schools have been taking part in the scheme, Lochgilphead High and Dunoon Grammar School.

Lochgilphead had two companies – West Coasters and Droift – with Dunoon Grammar School’s company called Ma Jar Stick.

West Coasters produced hand-designed framed artwork to sell, with their fellow pupils in Droift using seashells and driftwood from local beaches to create windchimes, wall hangings and necklaces.

All three competed in the regional final, held at the Inveraray Inn. Tasks were to write a company report, give a presentation to judges and guests, and mount trade stands. Each company was also interviewed by the judges.

West Coasters took the honours for best overall company, best report and best display, with Ma Jar Stick winning for best presentation.

At Inveraray on the night, prizes were presented by the Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Ian Campbell, and judges were Kirsty Flanagan, Argyll and Bute Council’s head of strategic finance, and Douglas Melville, business adviser with Business Gatewaywhich sponsored the event.