Report shows Kinlochbervie topped growth chart in 2024 for value and weight of fish landing
Kinlochbervie Harbour enjoyed an exceptional 2024, leading the country for growth in both the value and weight of fish landings – although new figures suggest a downturn with boats opting to land elsewhere.
Highland economist Tony Mackay, analysing annual figures from Marine Scotland released on Wednesday, said 2024 had been “an excellent year for the Kinlochbervie fishing industry, with the harbour ranked first in Scotland for the changes in both value and tonnage landed.”
Kinlochbervie’s total landings in 2024 were valued at £17.1 million, an increase of 24.1 per cent on the previous year.
The overall catch weight also rose by 32.2 per cent to 8100 tonnes, placing the west Sutherland harbour sixth in Scotland by both value and tonnage.
Across Scotland, the total value of fish landed rose by 4 per cent to £588 million, while the weight increased by 13 per cent to 377,000 tonnes.
Only six of the country’s 18 fishing ports saw an increase in value, and seven reported higher tonnage – making Kinlochbervie’s rise one of the most notable in the country.
Recent figures have painted a different picture for the current year, however.
Speaking in September, Mr Mackay said: “The Kinlochbervie statistics are disappointing again and … in contrast Ullapool had an excellent month.”
Mr Mackay added that more fishing boats now seem to prefer landing in Ullapool rather than Kinlochbervie.
In August 2025, the value of fish landed at Kinlochbervie plunged by 55 per cent and the tonnage by 44 per cent compared with the same month in 2024.