Pottery studio launches on Barra

About the business

Barra Pottery, which can be found in Castlebay Hotel, is owned by Nicola Souter. Nicola uses the studio to create a range of pottery items for use in the hotel, including crockery for the dining room.

How Ochoco-Law has helped

Since taking ownership of the hotel, Nicola has worked with Ochoco-Law to help make her vision for her pottery studio a reality.  

Through the service, Nicola accessed a range of start-up support services, including advice on how to write a business plan, as well as understanding routes to funding.   

Nicola was awarded grant support through the Outer Hebrides Young Enterprise Support Scheme (OHYESS), which is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered by the Comhairle’s Ochoco-Law team. This funding support has helped the business with costs of new equipment, and the general refurbishment of the new workshop.  

Over the winter months, Nicola will keep making stock items to sell and has plans to run residential workshops over the next year.  

Nicola Souter, owner, Barra Pottery, said: “Accessing support from Ochoco-Law was a game changer for setting up my own studio. Their encouragement and expert guidance helped me navigate everything from business planning to market strategies, and they also signposted me to vital funding opportunities that allowed me to invest in the right equipment.