The Highlands and buy lands as crafty islanders set up shop on world wide web
How tech-savvy knitters, hat makers and tea sellers are attracting thousands of new customers during the big shutdown
Keep calm, code and carry on quickly became an unplanned mantra for island entrepreneur Rhoda Meek, whose fledgling business, Tiree Tea, is facing a rocky first season.
Six weeks ago, Rhoda was sitting in her remote croft on the Hebridean island, surrounded by mountains of boxed tea bags, processing the news that her island would be shut off to tourists indefinitely.
But she realised she could put her skills as a former freelance digital product manager to good use. In a whirlwind of creativity, the techsavvy trader came up with Isle20. com – a digital lifeline to island businesses dependent on tourism.
The online directory showcases 350 small businesses across 26 Scottish islands, from artisan dog biscuits on Arran to craft vinegar brewed on Orkney.
“I realised tourism was going to take a real hit and I would need to up my online game to get through summer,” said Rhoda, 37. “Luckily I have the skills to do this but knew others in my situation wouldn’t. Over a weekend, I threw together a site where small businesses can advertise themselves. It’s basically like Not On The High Street for the Scottish islands.
“This is a way to continue to support the people on those islands by shopping locally.”
Isle20 is free for island traders to join, thanks to Scottish Islands Federation start-up funding. Since going live on March 17, it has accrued 28,000 hits and has redirected more than 25,000 shoppers to its members’ websites.
“It’s nice to know we are all struggling through this together,” said Rhoda, who added that the island’s postal service had been a lifeline for businesses and islanders.
“Our post office and postal workers have been incredible. I’m not an Amazon warehouse shipping vast quantities. I send out small-batch orders once a week.”
An early travel ban has ensured no Covid-19 deaths in the Western Isles, while there have been six deaths recorded on Shetland and two on Orkney. But remote, independent craft and design businesses across the islands are among the hardest hit as the restrictions on travel and tourism continue into summer.
Rhoda added: “The majority of businesses here rely on tourism and mainly operate through summer. For many, that summer income gets them through the winter, so missing a peak tourist season will affect people the entire year.”
Despite the tourism drought, islanders agree protecting their ageing populations is vital. There are no Intensive Care Unit beds with ventilators on the islands and medical evacuation to the mainland would be weather-dependent.
“With a three-to-one ratio of elderly in the population (on Tiree), and the distance from hospitals, we have a very vulnerable community,” added Rhoda. “Everyone wants to keep the island safe and are putting their community first.”
When her contract working remotely for a tech start-up in San Francisco ended recently, Rhoda began focusing on Tiree Tea.
“I’d had this idea percolating for a while and finally put it into motion with a trial run last November.
“I’ve created tea blends inspired by Tiree with an external company but I do all the packaging, marketing and shipping from the island.
“I had a great response over the winter so was looking forward to properly launching this year. And then we had a global pandemic. But if I can crack online sales and break even through this, I’m laughing.”
Rhoda has also found time to care for 39 new lambs on her land while running Tiree Tea and Isle20.com. But she admits island life is eerily quiet.
“It feels strange on the island right now. It’s spring but it feels like winter because the island is so quiet without tourists.””
Rhoda hopes her website will continue to promote island crafters and traders after lockdown ends.
“When all this is over, I hope Isle20 can promote island business through the quieter winter months,” she added.