Mowi Scotland Marks 60 Years of Raising Salmon

Mowi Scotland is celebrating 60 years dedicated to raising the finest salmon from sea to plate.

From the rugged west coast, Mowi salmon is cared for by farmers in some of the Highlands and Islands’ most rural locations, providing vital employment and economic benefits locally and nationally.

“60 years ago, pioneering fish farmers stocked the first generation of farmed salmonids into Lochailort,” explains Ben Hadfield, MD Mowi Scotland/COO Scotland, Faroes, Ireland & Canada East.

“I guess you can imagine their days were full of hard work, optimism and problem solving at every turn.

“60 years on, our days are still full of hard work, optimism and problem solving at every turn!

“What has changed, however, is the scale of our business and its positive impact throughout the Highlands and Islands.

“Thanks to the hard work and determination of all our colleagues, past and present, we have built one of Scotland’s largest companies which celebrates its 60^th anniversary with the aim of harvesting over 70,000t of premium Scottish salmon in 2025.”

In addition to creating employment in many of Scotland’s most rural locations, Mowi is proud to support these communities in other ways, whether it’s through helping with much needed housing, assisting stricken vessels, sponsoring local sports teams, cleaning up coastlines, attending careers events at schools, bringing the Mowi Salmon Wagon to local events to raise funds for good causes, or providing salmon to food banks.

Congratulating Mowi on its 60^th anniversary, Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, said:

“Since the first salmon were put to sea in Lochailort, Mowi Scotland has gone from strength to strength, becoming the biggest producer of Scottish salmon and one of the biggest employers and contributors to the Highlands and Islands’ economy.

“This scale has enabled the company to drive innovation in the sector, with a string of ‘firsts’ helping to transform salmon farming from a cottage industry to the modern, science-led, and globally renowned sector it is today.”

From Mowi’s farms to its processing facilities in Fort William and Rosyth, Mowi salmon is then sold to consumers at the UK’s biggest retailers and exported around the world.

In 2025, Mowi Consumer Products UK (CPUK) in Rosyth, Fife, is also celebrating its 10^th anniversary. Starting with a team of 43 in 2015, Mowi CPUK now has up to 1,000 during peak production periods.

Through investment in new technology and the upskilling of its workforce, Rosyth is now the single largest salmon processing plant in the UK.

£30 million has been invested in the state-of-the-art food factory, enabling the business to produce over a quarter of a million healthy meals each week.

Having supplied major retailers with own label salmon products, Mowi launched its own consumer brand, MOWI, in 2021.

Starting with fresh fillets, and hot and cold smoked salmon, the range has extended with new flavours and consistently drives category growth, inspiring more customers to eat salmon more often.

Reflecting on 10 years of innovation at Mowi Consumer Products UK, Bertil Buysse, Managing Director of Mowi Consumer Products Western Europe, said:

“Each member of our team played a crucial role in turning our dream of becoming the biggest UK salmon processor into a reality.

“Together, we’ve faced challenges and become a versatile and agile site through long hours and unwavering commitment to high standards.

“Our efforts have built more than just a factory; we’ve built a thriving team and a future for us all.”

Looking ahead, Mowi has exciting plans currently in development for 2025 and beyond.

Among the plans are its recently announced purchase of Sanda Island in Argyll and Bute where it hopes to establish a salmon farm as well as reinvigorate the island and develop its potential as a tourism destination.

Other plans for 2025 include:

• The next phase of the new processing facility upgrade at Blar Mhor will be completed. This investment will secure the long-term future of the plant in Fort William and incorporates market-leading innovation and technology that will put Mowi at the forefront of salmon processing.
• A state-of-the-art broodstock facility at Ardessie is due to open in the coming weeks.
• The official opening of Mowi’s Inchmore Visitor Experience, which will enable a range of stakeholders to learn more about the company and the aquaculture industry when they visit the site.
• This April will see the official opening of An Faire Mor community housing on Colonsay, which Mowi has supported the Colonsay Community Development Company with.
• A new high energy, open sea farm in South Uist at Stulaigh South following the granting of planning permission in December. The farm will create seven new jobs, operate 6x200m pens and hold a maximum biomass of 3,000 tonnes of salmon.
• The Salmon Wagon will be on the road again in 2025 to raise funds for local causes.
• Attending Aquaculture Days, with two more school locations confirmed for 2025, to showcase the career opportunities available in the industry.
• All Mowi farms in Scotland will be Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified in 2025. Mowi’s commitment to becoming 100% ASC certified is an important initiative for bringing about change in the industry, and for securing sustainable growth for Mowi.
• We continue our longstanding sponsorship of the Camanachd association, supporting Scotland’s national sport of shinty.

Ben Hadfield continues:

“All of us who have participated in this great Scottish success story should take time to reflect.

“From those pioneering fish farmers 60 years ago putting the first smolts into the sea, to those innovating within our business and contributing to the wider industry today, we can all take pride to have been part of 60 years of Mowi Scotland.”