CALMAC’s independent Community Board has teamed up with the ferry company to help raise the profile of Scotland’s west coast islands as business destinations.

It has organised a business conference aboard MV Clansman, on a non-landing cruise from Oban to Colonsay, on March 27.

The event, Strengthening Communities: Diverse Approaches to Business Success, is targeting people who are considering relocating to an island to set up a business, or expanding an existing operation. They will hear from a range of speakers who have made a success of an island enterprise.

The initiative is the brainchild of Community Board member, Ian Macfarlane. He said: “Our islands and remote communities are not only wonderful places to live and visit; they are also great places to do business. We have a real can-do attitude to enterprise and business opportunities across a range of sectors which are there to be developed.”

The networking event will also give existing business owners a chance to share their expertise.

Speakers include chiefs from Isle of Colonsay Oysters, the Loch Melfort Hotel, Gael Force Group Holdings, Gigha Halibut, the Tiree Music Festival and the Kilchoman Distillery Company.

“Every business presenting has a success story to tell and is sharing their expertise and experience with anyone interested in following their lead and expanding their business on the west coast,” Macfarlane added.

CalMac currently sails to 27 island and remote mainland locations and is crucial to maintaining and growing businesses in the areas it services.

“We are committed to working with the Community Board to expand our role as an economic enabler for the islands” said CalMac’s director of community and stakeholder engagement, Brian Fulton. “This is not just a short-term networking event; it is one of a number of new initiatives we will be exploring to help deliver more employment opportunities across the areas we support.”