SALMON PRODUCER DONATION BOOSTS ISLAND’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Salmon producer donation boosts island’s emergency response. A west coast island is better prepared to deal with major incidents after a leading salmon producer donated new safety equipment to support local emergency services.

Bakkafrost Scotland provided four walkie talkies and 10 high-visibility vests to the Gigha Emergency Plan Group, which coordinates help during situations such as extreme weather, prolonged power cuts, and ferry disruption.

The island of Gigha lies around three miles off the Kintyre peninsula and is heavily reliant on the ferry link to the mainland.

The donation strengthens the island’s ability to respond quickly when access to mainland emergency services is disrupted. Bakkafrost Scotland is also working to enable the use of one of its boats to help firefighters reach Gigha from the mainland at speed, if required.

The Gigha Emergency Plan Group brings together the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Coastguard, Scottish Ambulance Service, the community nurse, the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, and other volunteers, to coordinate emergency responses. The group was called out last summer when the ferry was unable to run on one of the busiest days of the year.

Group member Andy Clements, a crew commander with the SFRS, said the need for high-visibility vests and radios became clear when trying to triage people needing emergency accommodation or medication.

Mr Clements said:

“For us, the vests help in an emergency situation. If you see people wearing them, they’re the people you’re going to go to first. Locals know who we are, but the public doesn’t. The walkie talkies are a great idea as well because phone reception is not always the best, so they are perfect for what we need. Bakkafrost also gave us a waterproof cabinet to keep them in.”

Mr Clements added that Bakkafrost Scotland has offered the use of a covered fast rigid boat to transport fire crews from the mainland when required. There are only three firefighters on the island, including Mr Clements, while four are needed to crew a fire engine.

He said:

“It gives us the peace of mind if we do have a serious fire, we would be able to get the crews over.”

Bakkafrost Scotland operates two salmon farms at Druimyeon Bay and East Tarbert Bay, and is developing a third site off the island’s west coast. Mr Clements said, as well as being a local employer, the company is involved in the community through events such as the island music festival.

Ian Laister, managing director at Bakkafrost Scotland, said:

“We’re pleased to support the Gigha Emergency Plan Group with practical equipment that will make a real difference when it’s needed most. Gigha is an important community for Bakkafrost Scotland, with our local farms and colleagues forming part of island life. We’re also looking at how our boats can provide practical support when access to the island is disrupted. Island communities rely on strong local coordination, and we want to play our part in supporting that.”

This support for Gigha follows other practical steps taken by Bakkafrost Scotland to strengthen fragile coastal communities, including investment in local employment, training and apprenticeships in remote areas, and ongoing collaboration with coastal stakeholders to improve safety, resilience and infrastructure.

By aligning its operations with community needs, the company aims to help island and rural communities remain viable, well‑connected and prepared for disruption.

Image: Bakkafrost Scotland