Mowi acquires Scottish island Fladda-chuain.
Norwegian-headquartered salmon farming giant Mowi has purchased the uninhabited Scottish island of Fladda-chuain, located three miles off the northern tip of Skye, according to The Scottish Sun.
The acquisition, reportedly priced above the listed figure of £190,000, reflects Mowi’s continued investment in Scotland’s aquaculture sector.
The island, spanning 67 acres and measuring 1.3 kilometers in length, has no electricity, running water, or permanent infrastructure.
Despite its remote nature, Fladda-chuain’s location and tidal conditions are believed to offer opportunities for Mowi to trial new aquaculture techniques. The company has not disclosed specific plans, stating only that “any purchase of that nature would be announced via the usual channels and detailed in our quarterly reports.”
Fladda-chuain, derived from Old Norse for “Flat Island of the Ocean,” is steeped in mythology and history. Thought by some to be the Irish mythical isle of Tír na nÓg, it has links to early Christianity, with a chapel attributed to St. Columba in the 6th century. It also gained notoriety in 2002 when the nuclear submarine HMS Trafalgar ran aground on its rocky shores, causing damage to the vessel.
Beyond its historic appeal, Fladda-chuain’s position just northwest of Skye’s Trotternish peninsula strategically complements Mowi’s expanding operations in the region. The company already operates a feed mill near Kyleakin on Skye, producing pellets for its salmon farms in Scotland, Ireland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands.
Mowi, which employs 1,500 staff across Scotland and operates 48 farms producing 68,000 tonnes of salmon annually, appears intent on further integrating its supply chain and exploring sustainable practices. The island’s natural features, including cliffs, inlets, and a protected lagoon, could provide a unique setting for innovation in salmon farming.
The sales brochure emphasized the island’s stunning views and biodiversity, noting rich marine life, including seals, mackerel, cod, and langoustines, alongside a colony of seabirds.
The purchase was managed by Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group, an Edinburgh-based firm specializing in rural property sales. Mowi has yet to announce when its plans for the island will be revealed.
