Alistair Carmichael MP and Morven-May MacCallum MSP visited a Shetland salmon farm to see first-hand how Cooke Scotland is contributing to skilled employment, island communities and the wider economy.
Cooke’s local site team welcomed the politicians on to the pens at Burrastow off Shetland’s west mainland to take a closer look at the day-to-day work involved in producing Scottish salmon in the Northern Isles. It was also an opportunity to discuss the future of aquaculture in Shetland, including the importance of attracting and retaining skilled people and continuing to invest in technology and farming practices to prioritise fish health and welfare.
Ms MacCallum, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands, said: “Visiting the farm with Cooke and speaking directly with the people who work here has given me a much deeper understanding of both the challenges facing salmon farming and the opportunities it creates. It was particularly interesting to hear of the investment in innovation and changes to equipment which are making job roles more accessible, and it was encouraging to see how more women and people from different backgrounds are entering the industry. These visits are essential to appreciating the scale, diversity and potential of the sector, as well as its importance to jobs and communities across Shetland.”
Mr Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland, said: “Salmon farming supports a wide range of skilled, technical and well-paid jobs that help keep people and economic activity rooted in island communities. The sector makes an important contribution to growth across the United Kingdom, producing food in Shetland that is exported around the world.”
Shetland plays a central role to Cooke Scotland’s operations and the salmon farming sector contributes £91 million a year to the island’s economy, supporting around 1,000 jobs across the Northern Isles.
Burrastow Site Manager, Erik MacMillan, who led the visit on 26 September 2026 alongside Cooke’s Shetland Regional Manager, David Brown, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alistair and Morven-May to Burrastow, show them around the farm and introduce them to the vital work our team carries out every day.
“Visits like this create a valuable opportunity for open conversation where we can explain what we do, answer questions and demonstrate the care and professionalism involved in looking after our fish.”
Lead photograph: From left-right; Morven-May MacCallum MSP; Alistair Carmichael MP; Erik MacMillan, Burrastow Site Manager; David Boyter, Site Assistant; and David Brown, Regional Shetland Manager.