Friday�s Local Hero: When Niall Urquhart started Stramash five years ago, little did he think it would create such a stushie.

When Niall Urquhart started Stramash five years ago, little did he think it would create such a stushie.

As a short-term outdoor activity scheme for children, it was expected to elapse when its funding expired in 2007, but the 34-year-old begins 2009 immersed in the challenge of establishing his concept as an independent social enterprise.

His task is as ambitious as it is laudable. Since its genesis, the award-winning project, run by Argyll and Bute Council with a grant from the Big Lottery, has concerned itself with affording youngsters the opportunity to take part in activities that exploit the unique geology of their nation without being tied to a base location.

Climbing in the Cuillin or whitewater rafting on the River Tay are among the excursions enjoyed by 1500 children each year since its inception under a banner chosen to reflect the idea of a maelstrom of movement while retaining a particularly Scottish slant.

Urquhart's venture will now be required to service a threefold bottom line, though, with financial targets to meet as well as those of a social and environmental nature.

"It's a huge task, because we are practically setting up a new business from scratch," he admits. "Wealways knew time was limited with the funding expiring in 2007 but it was so successful that the council took money from their reserves to keep it going last year. Now, though, we've had to look to see how we can make it sustainable and independent."

The vehicle chosen for doing so is adventure tourism. Already an established destination for continental thrillseekers, the region is expected to benefit from a swell of Scots opting to holiday at home in the current economic climate.

Sufficient numbers will allow Stramash to facilitate growth and continue to help a populace whose recreational requirements have silently suffered as resources have been tilted towards transient custom.

"These are not the kind of towns that will have big leisure centres but they have this outstanding environment on their doorstep and we can use that to provide local activities for local kids," insists Urquhart, revealing that a means-tested grading system will be introduced to ensure all youngsters are given equal opportunity.

"We're aiming to build up local clubs so kids can progress on a pathway rather than just getting a small taste of something, and every penny we earn will go back into development."

As well as exploiting Scotland's scenic splendour, Stramash will harness the enthusiasm and energy of Argyll and Bute's youth. A 10-strong board of volunteer directors drawn from the vast constituency will be complemented by 18 teenagers elected into positions designed by around 500 of their peers at a recentcongress.

Both groups have already held introductory meetings ahead of the official summer transfer of the project from the council, and the coming months will be spent implementing the necessary procedures and managing an expansion to cater for adults, too, and prevent the project becoming a "glorified fairground" like many fixed outdoor activity centres.

"We will have young people from Islay to Helensburgh to Oban and all points in between having a say on how it develops," says Urquhart, who remains a council employee in the interim before transferring along with the ownership.

"It gives them a stake and a responsibility and we're working on an apprenticeship scheme so we can ultimately offer them employment in their own region, where there are very few opportunities."

Urquhart himself has travelled far and wide in a colourful career. Ason of Lossiemouth, he worked as a vet in Wick and Inverness before completing a diploma in outdoor education and combining the two before the opportunity to set up Stramash arose in Oban. Almost five years later, he is still a resident of the town and has served in the local mountain rescue unit since 2005.

"I always wanted to do outdoor learning and I've always had a real passion for the hills," he explains. "But I always wanted to be a vet, too so, for a while, I was working as a locum and a freelance activity instructor. One day I'd be canoeing down the Spey with a group of kids and the next I'd be tending to cows in the field next to the river.

But then this came up and it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

Urquhart admits the challenge ahead is daunting, with various strands and collaborations - ranging from Careers Scotland to the region's Gaelic Language Plan - required to blossom amid a difficult financial future. The council are set to provide transition funding for the first two years but is immediate enhancement of the project too ambitious?

"We've had that all the way through," he admits. "No matter what you do in life there are always people who have a can't do' attitude but we have a can do' attitude and have shown with our track record that we can achieve things.

"It's exciting when you see the difference it makes to kids. It's not just some yee-haa activity for a day - it's making a long-term difference to these people's lives and to their communities."

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