The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Peter’s combining work with good cause after wife’s death
Each week, we ask small businesses some key questions. Here we speak to Peter Dunlop, shareholder and director of Strath Print, based in Broadford, Skye
How and why did you start in business?
Born in Edinburgh, I studied computer science at Heriot-Watt University when computers were the size of double-deck buses. I then spent the next few years in the computer industry before going to work at my father’s printing firm in Edinburgh.
While enjoying the work, I wanted to get out of the city and escape to the wide open spaces of the north-west Highlands. I had fallen in love with the area on holiday and visited whenever I could.
I was fortunate to find work on Skye with the West Highland Publishing Company.
In 2004, after 20 years with the firm, the print division was closed and the printing outsourced.
My colleague, Martin Benson, and I saw this as a big opportunity rather than a threat, and decided to start our own printing business.
How did you get to where you are today?
Printing is a very volatile business and over the years we’ve seen many larger companies than ours close down; printing companies, paper merchants and paper mills. Somehow we’ve managed to steer a steady course through these difficult waters and today we provide a full graphic design and print service across Skye, Lochalsh and further afield.
We print brochures, leaflets, stationery, posters, raffle tickets – anything and everything – and we also design and produce outdoor signage and interpretive panels.
Who helped you?
In the early days, we received a lot of help from Highland and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council who were both keen to see a business like ours continue on Skye.
My parents helped with loans but my wife was my biggest support, even though she was suffering from cancer at the time.
We now have a very good, well-established team of five, including Martin and I, ready and willing to tackle anything that’s thrown at us.
We are also delighted to be able to call on the services of the Federation of Small Businesses from time to time. We have found its legal advice service to be particularly helpful.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Not starting our own business sooner. It’s so easy to get into a rut as an employee, going through the same motions every day unquestioningly as though on a treadmill.
It’s only when you go into business for yourself that you appreciate the freedom that has been missing.
What is your greatest achievement?
Being able to combine business with a good cause. My wife died of cancer in 2007 and since then Martin and I have raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support through our Pictorial Arts calendar.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
There just doesn’t seem to be enough money around to keep our roads in decent condition.
Skye is remote and largely dependent on tourism, and locals and visitors must be able to get here and travel around the island easily without fear of damaging their vehicles, themselves or other road users.
What do you still hope to achieve?
A long life – for both me and the business.
Actually, we are about to produce a new range of merchandise – 3D geometric models. They come flat-packed, are easy to assemble and look great. We print them on demand and mail them.
What do you do to relax?
I love ceilidh dancing, tai chi, stilt-walking and the Breakish Folk Club, but not necessarily all at the same time.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
“After 20 years with the firm, the print division was closed and the printing outsourced”
I’m reading a facsimile of the first complete edition of Don Quixote de la Mancha, in Spanish, but with the help of an English translation. Challenging but very rewarding.
What do you waste your money on?
Money is hard to come by, so I try not to waste it.
How would your friends describe you?
A loveable eccentric?
What would your enemies say about you?
With friends like mine, who needs enemies?
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I’m happy in my white Nissan van and don’t think I’ve dreamed about driving a special car. I have had flying dreams, though, so maybe I’ll buy a hot air balloon one day.