New business opportunities could be about to open up across the globe for a tiny Inner Hebrides tweed manufacturer operating out of a restored cowshed.

Exquisite organic cloth from the Isle of Mull weaving mill at Ardalanish Farm, located in the remote south west corner of the island, was recently featured on the catwalk and at a textile show during the Tokyo Fashion Week.

Aeneas and Minty Mackay, who run the 1500 acre Ardalanish Farm, diversified into tweed manufacturing around seven years ago using undyed wool from their own organic, native flock, have received tentative expressions of interest in their product from designers and also from a Japanese perfumier who is keen to use it as packaging.

A delighted Mr Mackay said: "We sowed quite a lot of seeds while we were out in Japan and I am quite prepared to wait for the results to come through. The Japanese are very meticulous when it comes to choosing products. They like to have plenty of time to make up their minds and to build a good relationship with producers and they like it to be a long lasting relationship. I really feel very positive about it all."

Isle of Mull Weavers' participation in Tokyo Fashion Week, which ran from October 29 until November 3 and attracted around 70,000 visitors, was made possible thanks to a development grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Mr Mackay said: "We are quite a small company and not yet that well established so attending the fashion week was a big step for us. We would not have managed to go without assistance and we were just glad to have been given the opportunity. It has given us a good confidence boost."

Sam Ford, Development Manager, for HIE said: "There is a growing global interest in organic and ethically produced textiles and clothing and we are pleased to have been able to help Mr and Mrs Mackay take their product to the discerning Far East market."

More than 50 Scottish companies and designers including Isle of Mull Weavers showcased their wares at Tokyo in a collective labelled "From Scotland with Love." The initiative was a joint venture between Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government with the aim of bringing Scottish design to international audiences.

For the fashion week Isle of Mull Weavers joined forces with emerging young Scottish artist and fashion designer Iona Crawford and Jeremy Law Leather of Dunkeld, a leading manufacturer and retailer of deerskin footwear and clothing.

Ms Crawford made several garments from Isle of Mull cloth including a stunning trouser suit in a herringbone material that received much acclaim. The young designer also used some of the tweed in artwork displayed at the textile show.

Mr Mackay said: "We have already had quite a bit of response following the show and have been contacted by a Japanese businesswoman who saw our tweed in Tokyo. She is developing new perfumes and is interested in using Caithness glass for the bottles and our cloth as packaging. She hopes to visit us when she is next in the country in January.

Mr Mackay added: "What the Japanese particularly liked is the story behind our tweed and the fact it comes from our own native sheep which run free at Ardalanish and that the wool is woven on the premises. That is a very strong part of how we promote our tweed. We like to think we are at the top end of the tweed market. It is a very niche market. What we do is quite individual using natural undyed wool and native breeding sheep.

"Japanese people are very keen on Scottish manufactured goods but they have to be of a high standard which is good as it keeps you on your toes and keeps you producing to the best of your ability."

Isle of Mull Weavers was awarded organic status by the Soil Association in August 2006. The mill is the first manufacturer in Britain to produce organic cloth, processing around five tons of fleece a year. The wool is spun at the New Lanark Centre and returned to Isle of Mull to be woven.

As well as ten different tweed cloths, Isle of Mull Weavers produce blankets, shawls, scarves, throws and rugs as well and a range of jackets, waistcoats and hats. Ardalanish Farm is well known for the quality of its organic Highland beef and Hebridean mutton. The farm and woollen mill employ five full-time and four part-time staff.