Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Jun 16/99) - There's a new style to be had in Rankin Inlet these days, one with a distinctive Scottish touch that offers folks a choice of maintaining their own personal status quo or taking a bold new direction of daring and pizzazz.

Scottie Strong has been a hairstylist for more than 26 years. He recently set up shop at the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin after 10 years in Iqaluit, where he moved from Ottawa 11 years ago.

Like most hairstylists, Strong enjoys his trade and the interaction which takes place

between stylist and client. He says he's been very impressed with the people of his new home since his arrival and is looking forward to becoming an integral part of the community.

"A lot of people, for some reason, are still under the impression I'm a Bay Boy, but I'm not," says Scottie. "My wife has three sisters in Rankin and, when I heard Bella was moving, I saw this as a good opportunity.

"I like small communities and the hotel has been very accommodating. They've treated me very well. I also like to fly fish and this is a great area for that."

Offering a full range of hair care service, Strong says he tries to keep his prices as reasonable as possible, offering ladies' basic cuts for $27 and mens' for $22, GST included. He says forging good communication with clients and making them feel relaxed are the keys to building a solid client base. That, and top-of-the-line cuts and styles.

"I enjoy the chatter with my clients. It's like anything else, after a while it goes in one ear and out the other. Making people feel relaxed is the main thing, but I don't get involved with any

gossip in the community. You have to stay away from that."

Strong says as a hairstylist, one sees all types of vanities and must be able to deal with all kinds of people. Having cut hair for 26 years, he's had his share of memorable moments behind the chair.

"There was one time in Ottawa, about 16 years ago, I'll never forget. It was a very hot day and the lady whose hair I was styling had enjoyed a few glasses of wine with her dinner. I'm cutting her hair and she ends up falling asleep and then falling right out of the chair.

"I didn't know if she'd had a heart attack or what. I almost had a heart attack. Everything in the shop just stopped and all eyes were upon us. She woke up in a hurry, I can tell you that."