Double delight at booming Wester Ross fishery
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DELIGHTED staff at Scotland’s oldest independent salmon farms are celebrating after they enjoyed double success in two prestigious competitions.
Wester Ross Fisheries, which is also the smallest independent salmon farmer in the country, won a Highland Business Export Award and followed it up a week later with the Healthier Food & Drink Award at this year’s Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.
It was also shortlisted in four different categories between the two contests, which attracted a record-breaking number of entries.
"The team is delighted and looking forward to the challenges in the upcoming years as they will keep on striving to produce the best all natural sustainable Scottish salmon," said the company’s Barbora Gaborova.
"Looking forward, Wester Ross is determined maintain their unique farming practices and ready to deliver renowned premium Scottish salmon with world-class customer service and tailored marketing support to all loyal discerning customers."
The awards come amid booming fortunes for the firm, which enjoyed a 75 per cent growth in its international sales over the past three years. Indeed, demand was so high that it has secured £951,309.89 from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help upgrade and expand its Ardmair and Ardessie sites.
And Ms Gaborova believes the secret of the company’s success is simple.
"Wester Ross Salmon represents the best of umami flavours of Scottish Highlands preserved in a beautiful light-pink healthy fillet," she said.
"The all natural hand-rearing and all-natural health control contributes to the succulent flavour and essential vitamins and omega-3s."
A total of 14 businesses were victorious in their categories at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards ceremony, which was held at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness last Friday and hosted by STV presenter, Jennifer Reoch.
And Wester Ross Fisheries was not the only local success in the competition.
The Black Isle Brewery won the best brewed award, while the Bad Girl Bakery in Muir of Ord took home the food and drink business growth award.
The awards are delivered with support from HIE. Elaine Jamieson, head of food and drink at HIE, said: "Entries to the awards were significantly higher in 2018 than in previous years, and categories were very competitive.
"It is very encouraging to see the diversity and quality of products coming from the Highlands and Islands.
"It is the overwhelming passion that the people from our region have for producing and providing great food and drink that is putting the Highlands and Islands at the top of the country’s food and drink industry."
She went on to say the winners should be very proud to have outshone their competition.
"I hope these well-deserved and independently judged awards will be a distinguishing asset to their businesses," she added.
