A New Online Islay Shop

Already a year ago, after my visit to Islay in May 2006, I had the idea of opening an Online Islay Shop to help people on the island selling some of their products in the quiet months of the year, and to give people who aren't able to visit Islay a chance to buy some genuine things from the island. That was also the time that I helped Arra Fletcher with setting up his own online shop for the Persabus Pottery, which kicked off six months ago and is attracting folk from all over the world.

Since I don't live on Islay myself (yet) I got in touch with brian palmer who was more than willing to help me out with contacting people who were interested to join this initiative. In the meanwhile I had setup the shop software and since a few weeks the shop is actually ready and online. The basic idea behind the whole thing is that I supply the webspace for the shop, add the items and pictures of the products and supply the links from the Islayinfo website to attract as much visitors as possible. The items in the shop have to be manufactured/designed on Islay and have to benefit the people on Islay. I myself act as a sort of middleman but don't make any money from the sales made in the shop, I just provide the platform to sell the goods. Today the Ileach wrote something about my initiave, for which I'm very gratefull, and you will find the story below:

Islay Shopping by Mouse
Islay, in common with many rural communities throughout the west of Scotland, has a number of artists and craftspeople who display their wares for sale all across the island, both in shops and at local craft fairs. However, if you may have missed out on an item when you were on holiday, or are looking for an item from this island’s shores, there is now a fast growing alternative way to shop. Ron Steenvoorden, webmaster of www.islayinfo.com has set up islay shopping online at http://shop.islayinfo.com. There is a small selection of items in the shop at present, but additions are being made on a regular basis. So if you fancy buying a copy of ‘Ailsa the Cat’ or one of Norma Munro’s recordings, this is the simplest and possibly cheapest way to do so. While all the orders are taken online, the goods are despatched by the artists and craftsfolk on the island, just in case you thought there was a large(ish) warehouse in an undisclosed location despatching from central Europe. We should point out, however, that the best way to buy products from Islay is definitely by personal visit.

Thanks Susan and brian for publishing the story and I would like to add one thing: If you live on Islay and would like to see your items for sale in this shop as well please contact Ron from Islayinfo or brian from the Ileach.