Boost: Lighthouse Caledonia is to reopen its factory near Stornoway Pic: & copy; STV
Ninety factory jobs have been created in the Western Isles, bringing a much-needed employment boost to the area.
Lighthouse Caledonia is reopening its processing plant at Marybank on the outskirts of Stornoway. About 100 personnel were made redundant when the facility shut in December 2008.
Businesses in the sector's service industry are delighted at the news with one packaging supplier planning to hire up to six extra workers as a result.
The company has started refurbishing the processing plant in Stornoway and will start recruiting staff to begin work in July.
Lighthouse Caledonia says it is committed to the Western Isles and will build a modern £5 million factory at Arnish.
Jim Mullins, chairman of Lighthouse Caledonia, said: "We believe that by harvesting and processing the fish locally, we can produce a Hebridean salmon product that is of the highest quality.
"Over the past year, the company has made huge steps forward in terms of sustainability and strengthening the business, working tirelessly to bring jobs back to the island. We are delighted to be realising that goal."
The companyplans to invest in a distinct brand image for the salmon grown in the Hebrides. Instead of shipping farmed salmon to a mainland factory it wants to process the fish on Lewis.
It will begin harvesting large quantities from Hebridean sealochs this summer.
