North-west Sutherland communities benefit from salmon farm fund

Community projects in and around Loch Duart in Sutherland are set to benefit from a new funding initiative created by the last remaining small independent Scottish salmon farm and their feed supplier, BioMar.

From providing for local schools’ wellbeing days and Goblin racing car building project to sponsoring local football clubs and local martial arts groups, the Loch Duart and BioMar Community Fund is already making a positive impact within the communities across Sutherland and the Uists.

Durness Primary staffroom, Kinlochbervie Primary, Scourie Primary and Kinlochbervie High School have so far been provided with £2000 towards staff well-being days.

Rebecca MacInnes, Loch Duart HR manager, and community fund administrator, said: “It’s an honour to announce some of the successful projects which have become the first recipients of the new Loch Duart and BioMar Community Fund. With a focus on supporting schools and health and wellbeing, we are ensuring that the funding goes to groups who really need this extra bit of money to carry on their important work.

“Whether it’s giving school environments a much needed makeover for both pupils and teachers, or wellbeing hampers and events being created for staff to give them a boost, it shows that a little bit of help can do a whole lot of good. We’re looking forward to sharing more news about the projects we’re supporting across Sutherland and the Uists.”

Projects that have been supported by the fund include:

Staff Room Refurbishment – Local schools, Durness Primary, Kinlochbervie Primary and Kinlochbervie high school staff rooms received a makeover including new kitchen units, counters, walls painted, appliances, utensils, crockery and table and chairs. Staff love the changes and can now sit and eat together properly on their break in a much calmer, clean, and more relaxing social space for staff.

Wellbeing hampers - all schools and nursery staff were bought wellbeing hampers to take items from, the hamper items include teas, snacks, candles, and bath bombs, perfect for a quick pick-me-up.

Wellbeing day - in February some of the funds went towards a lunch together for staff. Money also went towards community groups to come in and provide dancercise, Zumba, yoga, and massage sessions during the day.

Goblin Car Project – Funding went towards the build of an electric Goblin Car (Go Kart) involving the children for the north-west schools, the children then went on to compete against other schools.

Mike McLeish from BioMar, partners with Loch Duart behind the community fund, said: “BioMar is delighted to supply high-quality, nutritionally balanced, sustainable salmon feed to Loch Duart’s farming operations in the Scottish Northwest and Hebrides. As part of this relationship, we have partnered to set up the Community Fund to ensure that the communities around Loch Duart’s farming sites have access to funding aimed at improving people’s lives through a range of amazing projects. We look forward to seeing how these brilliant communities use our funding to transform the Uists and Sutherland.”

Projects in Sutherland who would like to be considered for funding are asked to contact Rebecca MacInnes at Loch Duart via email at rebecca.macinnes@lochduart.com

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.