SCOTTISH business heavyweight Sir Brian Souter has lent his backing to a campaign to build what would be the first tartan weaving mill in the Highlands.

Prickly Thistle, the Dingwall-based design house, is looking to raise £500,000 for the development on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. Founder Clare Campbell has launched the “Build the Mill” campaign, which goes live today, after struggling to find a suitable manufacturing partner for the bespoke products she designs. Most tartan mills operate on a high volume basis.

The entrepreneur, who has clients at home and abroad, decided to develop her own mill and acquired a farm steading on the Black Isle to convert. Pre-planning approval has been secured. Ms Campbell, a chartered accountant, got to know Sir Brian after giving a presentation to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), of which he is the president. Ms Campbell said: “I am delighted that such a prominent businessman has given his support. I hope that this campaign to raise funds will help me build another global brand like Stagecoach that Scotland can be proud of.”

Sir Brian noted: “I met Clare for the first time when she presented at the ICAS annual conference. She explained to me her vision for a highly ambitious and modern contemporary tartan brand – with a business plan that is set to re-design the tartan industry from the Highlands. One that restores the full manufacturing of the cloth to its birthplace.”

Ms Campbell said investors in the campaign, which will run for 60 days, can pledge different amounts of cash, and receive luxury gift rewards worth between £15 and £8,000 in return.