Ian McWhinney fishes for shellfish at Gairloch as well as offering hospitality to visitors to nearby Dry Island with his wife Jess.
Until recently they had made a living selling shellfish, most of it going abroad but some was sold to restaurants and through a stall and farmers market.
The couple, who have three children aged between four and 13, have also been welcoming guests to their self-catering cottages for 25 years and Ian runs Shellfish Safaris boat trips.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak their income has dried up and they have not been eligible for government compensation.
“From having a number of businesses we now have no income and did not seem to fit into any category the government was supporting.
“The new measure are at least something. It’s better than it was before and its difficult for the government to come up with something quickly in these unprecedented times.
“But I think it should be more equitable. People who make very little profit like seasonal workers will get very little help and I’m worried that those who need it most will not get it.
“It’s particularly true in fragile areas like this where people make a tremendous and varied contribution to the area and put their heart and sole into their businesses.”
