Mowi, a leading player in the Scottish salmon farming industry, has announced its ambitious plans to transform the uninhabited Sanda Island in Argyll and Bute. The company’s multimillion pound investment aims to breathe new life into the island, creating new job opportunities and developing sustainable tourism.

Sanda Island, located off the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, is set to become a significant salmon farming site. Mowi plans to establish a fish farm off the east coast of the island, which will create 14 new jobs in two shifts of seven people, including apprentice positions. This investment also includes the refurbishment of former hotel and house properties, as well as Campbeltown shipyard and associated property known as Sandbank House.

The company’s vision for Sanda Island extends beyond just fish farming. Mowi intends to reinvigorate the island and develop it into a sustainable tourism destination. Plans include refurbishing the hotel and housing, ultimately hiring a caretaker couple or family to oversee the hospitality side of the business. Additionally, Mowi will establish yacht moorings to bolster tourism and improve accessibility between Sanda Island and the mainland.

Ben Hadfield, Mowi’s Chief Operating Officer of Farming in Scotland, Ireland, The Faroes, and Canada East, expressed enthusiasm about Mowi’s plans for Sanda Island. "We have the opportunity to do something very special with Sanda Island," he said. "We are confident that it offers an ideal location for salmon farming due to its protection from island conditions while harnessing tidal currents and favorable environmental conditions."

Mowi has also purchased Fladda-chuain, an uninhabited island three miles off the northern tip of Skye, further signaling its commitment to coastal high-energy locations for fish farms. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Mowi at enquiries.scotland@mowi.com for potential roles in aquaculture or tourism development on Sanda Island.

With a focus on sustainable practices and community engagement, Mowi aims to create a balanced ecosystem where both economic growth and environmental stewardship coexist on this once-uninhabited Scottish island.