Enterprising Highland pupils show off their business skills

By Gregor White

Published: 13:00, 29 December 2019

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Inverness High School pupils were selling seed bags.

Pupils from Highland schools have been demonstrating their entrepreneurial talents in Inverness.

Teams from Millburn and Culloden Academies, Inverness High School and Inverness Royal Academy took part in the annual Young Enterprise Christmas trade fair, selling products they had made.

Laura Sutherland, Brogan Hunter, Liam Young and Keelan Harvey from Fortrose Academy were selling Murray's Big Adventure books at their stall with the support of Murray the dog.

Origin, from Millburn Academy, did a roaring trade in wooden coasters with a Highland design while a book of tips for would-be students from Culloden Academy’s Effortless team and eco boxes of plastic-free homeware items from Inverness Royal Academy’s Sustain flew off the stalls.

Calum Daun and Grant Nixon from Inverness Royal Academy were selling a range of sustainable products.

The prize for best crowd-puller went to Culloden Academy’s On the Box team with Frankie the Tortoise, who helped promote their boxes of sustainable items. Inverness High School’s Seed Bees won the prize for friendliest team, whose staff sold wildflower seed bombs.

Rowan Maclellan, Melody Wan and Colla Macdonald from Culloden Academy were selling cookery books and offering financial help.

The Young Enterprise Scotland Company programme for Highland and Moray (YES Highland and Moray) runs in partnership with local schools to encourage young people to experience the challenges of running a business.

Rhianna Newlands, Lauren Bertram, Tegan McClung, Shaznee Smith and Karolina Ulicka from Invergordon Academy were selling Endeavour Felted Soaps.

Over the course of a year, school teams learn how to run a business by designing and making products, marketing them and managing the financial side of the operation. The scheme is aimed at 15 to 19-year-olds and teams are given a range of support including the backing of teachers and a volunteer business adviser from the local community.

Sam Watt, Keir Bird and Alfie Robertson from Alness Academy were selling Chromebook covers.

Linda Thomas, chairwoman of YES Highland and Moray, said: “Once again our judges were blown away by the creativity and professionalism demonstrated by this year’s teams.

Freya Fowler, Anya Adams, Gracie Hammond and Cara Slaughter from Plockton High School were selling tartan cushions and tartan heart Christmas tree decorations.

“It was fantastic to have so many teams taking part and despite the cold, they all kept their smiles and sales pitches going all day.

“The trade fair is a great way for young people to learn about marketing and try out their selling skills.

“The quality of the products on sale was outstanding and we’re delighted with how far the teams have come since they started the programme earlier this year.”

Leah Campbell, Juda Mzamu, Amy Forbes, Jack Henderson and Morgan Earras from Millburn Academy were selling wooden coasters at their Origin stall.

Culloden Academy pupils selling sustainable products from their On the Box stall.

Grant Donald, Susan Longmuir, Julie Fraser and Selina Rennie from Young Enterprise were keeping an eye on the Christmas market.

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