Fish farm firm has ‘special’ plans after buying uninhabited island

A fish farming company has set out plans for “breathing new life” into an uninhabited island it has purchased off Scotland’s west cost.

Aquaculture firm Mowi, which already employs about 1,600 workers in Scotland in its salmon farms, has purchased Sanda, a small island in the Firth of Clyde, off the coast of Argyll and Bute.

It says a fish farm there will create 14 new jobs – but also plans to refurbish a hotel and housing on the island, a move which it said could lead to a couple or family being taken on as caretakers to oversee a hospitality business there.

Mowi also plans to establish yacht moorings on Sanda, similar to work it has already carried out in other locations such as Colonsay.

The company also said there was “scope to explore rewilding and nature enhancement projects” on the island.

Speaking about the plans, Ben Hadfield, of Mowi, said: “We have the opportunity to do something very special with Sanda Island.

“We already have incredibly valuable experience of developing successful fish farms off the coast of Scottish islands including Rum, Muck and Colonsay.

“We are also proud of the work we have done with local communities on these islands to improve infrastructure, be that through housing, broadband or moorings, to help retain or attract people to live and work on the island.”

Mr Hadfield, Mowi’s chief operation officer of farming for Scotland, Ireland, the Faroes and Canada East, said the firm would consult with communities in the area and develop a “comprehensive biodiversity plan for the Island”.

In addition, an environmental impact assessment for its proposed “high energy salmon development” is also planned.

Mr Hadfield continued: “We are confident that Sanda Island offers an ideal location for salmon farming as it provides some protection from the island whilst harnessing the tidal currents and favourable environmental conditions to grow healthy salmon.

“We are looking forward to engaging with all stakeholders to discuss the potential of breathing new life into Sanda Island.”

Mowi is urging anyone interested in working on Sanda – either in aquaculture or in helping develop tourism there – to contact them be by emailing enquiries.scotland@mowi.com

Meanwhile, the firm also confirmed it had purchased Fladda-chuain, an uninhabited island three miles off the northern tip of Skye, with more details of its plans for this location to be announced in due course.