Isle of Harris candle manufacturer shows burning ambition

Candle and room fragrance company Essence of Harris is sniffing out overseas markets after registering with an international trade portal.

The firm, founded by Jamie and Deenie Mcgowan, makes hand-poured candles using 100 per cent soya wax and home fragrance products. The products are both inspired by and named after the Isle of Harris’ beaches and scenery.

Essence of Harris has two shops – one on the island, in Tarbert, and another in Inverness Airport. It also supplies 46 retail outlets across the UK and two abroad – one in Thailandandanotherinnorth Carolina, America.

The company currently employs nine people on the Isle of Harris and in Inverness and has recently hired two Us-based sales reps. Since registering with the Bank of Scotland’s international trade portal, the business aims to “significantly increase” its exports to America and to begin supplying its products to Germany. Jamie Mcgowan said: “Exporting to new markets is the next step for us to keep the momentum going. Most of Harris’ tourists come from Germany and America so these countries are an obvious choice for us – they have a natural affinity with our wee island.”

Lindsay Macleod, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, added: “The company’s success with its bespoke, highquality products… make it an ideal candidate for exporting.” 0 Jamie Mcgowan – exporting to new markets is the next step