Six jobs have been created in South Uist after a salmon smokehouse was rescued by a new owner.
Loch Duart shut its facility on the shores of Lochcarnan in April. Negotiations at the time with a local consortium fell through and production stopped.
Now Iain MacRury, former production manager at the smokehouse has bought the business and will trade under its original name, Salar.
The number of people being taken on is significant in the community where alternative employment is very scarce.
Five staff paid off in April have been taken back on.
Iain Macrury said: “This is an exciting development for us and these islands with an important local business that enjoys an international reputation looking to add to past success by focussing on its core of wonderful Uist seafood from an unspoilt environment to build on the tradition and heritage of the Hebrides.
“As a local islander myself, born and bred in Benbecula, I feel it is vital to protect
and nurture our communities as best we can so it is pleasing that we will employ
six members of staff at Loch Carnan to produce our exclusive hot-
He added: “Local sales have traditionally been very strong and there are home delivery customers ready to order – this will allow us to build on a solid base for the future.”
Alban Denton, managing director of Loch Duart, said: “We’re delighted to sell the smokehouse to a buyer in South Uist as we had feared that other potential buyers might have taken the brand and process to the mainland.”
He added: “As local salmon farmers and former owners of the smokehouse, we had invested a great deal of effort into keeping this business operating within the South Uist community.
“Loch Duart is still strongly committed to business within the Hebrides and continues to employ 22 full time members of staff in its fish farming operations on North and South Uist.
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Rescued smokehouse business to reopen
8 July 2015