AN Alness-based seafood wholesaler and exporter is to boost its packaging operations as it nears the opening of a new shellfish processing facility.
Scot Live Shellfish is investing in specialist plant and equipment designed to enhance both capacity and efficiency.
The company has secured £225,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards £900,000 total project costs. Construction is already underway on land purchased by the firm at its existing site, making a significant milestone in its expansion plans with completion anticipated soon.
Currently employing 25 people, Scot Live Shellfish expects the development to generate 10 new jobs in Alness over the next two years, supporting the local economy and strengthening the region’s seafood sector.
The HIE funding will support the installation of advanced blast freezing, packaging, and energy-efficient cooling systems. Together, these upgrades are designed to streamline operations, lower energy consumption and carbon emissions, and ensure consistently high-quality products. Meanwhile, the existing factory will be repurposed to specialise in scallop processing.
A new solar array will provide renewable energy. The company also plans to introduce further automation to support labour-intensive processes.
Director at Scot Live Shellfish, Gosia Kozlowska, said, “This investment marks a major step forward for our business and for the wider seafood sector in the Highlands. By developing this new processing facility, we will be able to add greater value to our products, improve efficiency and meet growing demand from both UK and international markets.”
