Young businesswomen from Wick and Ardgay celebrate success at far north dinner
Two young businesswomen – one from Caithness and one from Sutherland – received awards for their entrepreneurial efforts at a recent dinner event.
The Caithness Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards celebrates the diverse businesses that make up the far north Highland economy.
Guests from across the UK were welcomed by Louise Sinclair, vice chair of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, followed by an address from Trudy Morris, Caithness Chamber’s CEO and DYW North Highland lead, the event’s principal sponsor.
Andrew Mackay, owner of the Caithness Collection of hotels and longstanding member of the Caithness Chamber board, spoke about the chamber’s recent evolution to incorporate destination management organisation Venture North into its portfolio, and the launch of its Destination Strategy to support sustainable tourism across the north Highlands.
Rebecca Brooks, managing director of Abbey UK and chair of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, was the guest speaker and drew on her extensive experience in Scotland’s tourism industry.
Following the dinner and business addresses, guests were treated to an entertaining performance by bestselling author, comedian and compere Ian Moore.
The evening concluded with the business awards, which offer a platform for young businesses and entrepreneurs in the region to showcase their achievements.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2025 was presented to Abbie Gunn of AEG Services by award sponsor Shirley McIntosh, Partner at Saffery Inverness.
Following redundancy, Abbie pursued her passion for animal care by founding AEG Services, which offers dog walking and pet care, equine services, and general labour support, including farm work and household tasks across Caithness.
At just 20 years old, Abbie has already invested significantly in her professional development, holding a Canine First Aid Diploma and a Dog Training Diploma, and is currently studying for a Canine Behaviour Training Diploma.
Abbie said: “Winning young entrepreneur of the year is a huge honour. I was so shocked but delighted to receive the award. It’s proof that hard work, determination and persistence really does pay off. I hope this inspires other young people like me to follow their dreams and believe in what they can achieve.”
The Young Business Award 2025 was presented to Thistle & Cloth by Richard Copeland, director of Pentland Floating Offshore Windfarm and sponsor of the award.
Founded in Ardgay in July 2024 by Hannah Macfarlane, Thistle & Cloth specialises in creating bespoke tartan dresses and kilts from 100 per cent Scottish wool, blending traditional techniques with a contemporary aesthetic.
After a career as a military musician, Hannah pursued her passion for garment construction and design, studying under renowned tutor Linda Gillies, where she honed her skills in traditional kiltmaking.
Since its launch, Thistle & Cloth has already gained recognition through the Heritage Crafts Award, the Scottish Edge Award, and the UnLtd Award, which celebrates social entrepreneurs delivering meaningful social impact.
Hannah’s ambition is to establish a heritage crafts hub in her local community, creating opportunities for local artists, supporting traditional skills, and inspiring future generations.
She said: “It’s so lovely to receive recognition, not only for myself but also for our local area. As a working mother with two young children, the closure of our local nursery really opened my eyes to the challenges faced by remote and rural communities like ours.
“Thistle & Cloth is about supporting heritage crafts, but more importantly, I hope to create opportunities through employment and training, give recognition to skilled craft makers, promote our area, and establish a beautiful studio that will encourage visitors to discover this very special part of the north Highlands.”
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are privileged to represent such a diverse business community in the north Highlands. Despite significant economic challenges our business community has faced, there is much to be positive about. Our annual dinner is a fantastic opportunity to reflect, connect, and celebrate our achievements together.
“Congratulations to our Young Entrepreneur and Young Business Award winners. This year saw a record number of high-quality entries, making the competition especially strong.”