An Inverness woman who juggled looking after young twins with training for a new career has established a busy barber shop business in Nairn.
Alana Boyne, 35, opened The Fade Inn after completing a two-year evening class course in barbering at Inverness College UHI.
As well as looking after her twins, now aged four, she worked part-time as a trainee during her studies.
Alana said: “When my children started nursery I decided I wanted to do something for myself that would enable me to take on new opportunities in the future.
“I couldn’t take on the commitment of a full-time course, but the opportunity to study in the evenings really helped me to juggle coursework and family life.
“Barbering was a natural choice for me – I love working with customers and being creative and it is a lifelong skill I will always have.
“My favourite thing about my job is chatting to customers and getting their feedback. I’m just so proud of my shop. My decision to try a new challenge has really changed my life for the better.”
Alana’s lecturer at Inverness College UHI, Roz Bullard, added: “Alana has been a hardworking and committed student throughout the course, so I’m very pleased she has achieved her ambition of opening her very own barber shop.
“For people like Alana who want the flexibility of studying in the evenings but want to gain a skill that will create fresh and lucrative opportunities, barbering is an excellent option. Male grooming is becoming so fashionable, there is a huge demand for more barbers in the region.
“Alana has leapt on this opportunity and I wish her every success.”