Scottish island boat yard delivers £1.2 million vessel for top salmon producer

The landing craft, built by Bute Boat Builders, will be used at Bakkafrost Scotland’s farm sites in Loch Striven, Argyll and Bute, and Arran. It has been named Spirit of Bute by 11-year-old Callum Perlich, son of James Perlich, the company’s Ardyne farm site manager.

The 19.5-metre long vessel continues a run of Bakkafrost Scotland builds on Bute, following earlier projects including Maid of Ulva, Clare Anne, Lady Charlotte, Netty, Fyne Blue and Lady of Striven.

The latest order takes the company’s investment in boatbuilding on Bute to around £7.2m across seven vessels.

Spirit of Bute also has a six-tonne crane and accommodation for crew, helping teams carry out lifting work and other day-to-day jobs across different sites.

Iain Laister, managing director at Bakkafrost Scotland, said: “Spirit of Bute is an important addition to our fleet and a major investment in our farming operations in Loch Striven and Arran. “It has been built around the day-to-day needs of our operations and will play a key role in work on site, from net cleaning to lifting and general farm support.

“This latest order reflects the standard of work being delivered by Bute Boat Builders and also represents investment in a skilled west coast supply chain with deep experience of the aquaculture sector. That matters to us as a business rooted in coastal communities and committed to backing the people and businesses that support our operations,” he added.

Ewen Ferguson, director at Bute Boat Builders, said: “Building Spirit of Bute for Bakkafrost Scotland has been hugely valuable for the island’s economy, helping sustain specialist boatbuilding skills and allowing them to be passed on to the next generation.

“As a relatively new business, a contract like this also raises our profile and helps support future opportunities. It has been a pleasure to build Spirit of Bute for Bakkafrost Scotland and we are grateful for their continued support of local yards.”