ONE of Scotland’s largest aquaculture companies has bought two uninhabited Scottish islands – and announced plans to build a new fish farm and a "tourism destination".
Mowi announced on Monday that it had bought Sanda Island in Argyll and Bute, located off the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, as it plans to establish a salmon farm off the east coast of the island.
Along with Sanda Island, the fish firm announced it had also bought Fladda-chuain, an uninhabited island three miles off the northern tip of Skye – but it has yet to announce any plans for its use.
The planned fish farm off Sanda Island is expected to create 14 new jobs, along with apprentice positions, as Mowi plans to turn the area into a “tourism destination”.
Along with the sale of the island, a former hotel and houses, as well as Campbeltown shipyard, and associated property Sandbank House were included.
The firm plans to rejuvenate and transform the properties on the island into a sustainable tourism industry while aiming to provide an additional 10 jobs.
Mowi’s chief operating officer of farming in Scotland Ben Hadfield said the top priority is to consult with the communities in the area with the plans for a new fish farm.
He 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.
“Our first priority now will be to consult with the communities of the area and develop a comprehensive biodiversity plan for the Island. We will also undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed high energy salmon development.”
Mowi plans to hire a caretaker couple or family to oversee the hospitality side of the business once the refurbishment of the hotel and housing on Sanda Island is complete.
The firm plans to establish yacht moorings to help with accessibility between Sanda Island and the mainland along with hopes to explore rewilding and nature projects in the area too.
Hadfield added: “The Scottish aquaculture industry has committed to develop farms in more open-water locations, where environmental conditions are more varied. This is a topic that was discussed at length during the recent follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland undertaken by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee of the Scottish Parliament.
“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.”
