In a ceremony at the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, vet Alison Brough beat off stiff competition to be named Rising Star, with judges praising the ‘remarkable impact’ she has made since joining Scottish Sea Farms, and singling her out as an outstanding ambassador and a future industry leader, with roles already in the Young Aquaculture Society and the Fish Vet Society.
With a determination to make a difference in fish health training, Alison introduced a series of fish health and welfare modules, presented in person at mainland farms, with video modules to go online to cover all three farming regions.
‘Teaching someone something new, whether they are a beginner themselves or have been with the company for many years, then later seeing them do it naturally, without having to be taught any more, is what makes the endless road miles and nights away from home worthwhile,’ said Alison.
The Farmer of the Year accolade went to long-serving Fishnish Farm Manager Alastair Fraser who has pioneered the company’s move to fewer, bigger pens with stunning results. Alastair ‘has led the charge and shown what can be possible, making him a worthy winner’, said the judges.
Collecting his award, Alastair paid tribute to his hard-working team: ‘This is for all the guys on the farm who have helped Fishnish drive the transition to bigger pens, delivering our best crop ever last year.
‘I’ve been at Scottish Sea Farms for 35 year this year and there have been many highs and a few lows, but winning this award will stand out as the highlight.’
In the third triumph of the night, Scottish Sea Farms’ Heart of the Community fund was recognised in the Community Initiative category – one of 13 awards in all – for what the judges called its ‘far-reaching and lasting impact’, investing in a wide range of projects totalling more than £2 million.
Accepting the award on behalf of the team, Georgie MacKenzie, who ran the fund for its first ten years, thanked all involved.
‘Our mission from the start was to give something back to the communities where we farm and to ensure that the money goes where it’s needed the most. I’m proud to have been part of the collective effort to make that happen.’
Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher said: ‘These awards acknowledge what we in Scottish Sea Farms already knew, that we have some of the most exceptional people in the sector working to produce our top-quality salmon and sharing our success within the wider community.
‘Congratulations to all our very deserving winners, you’ve made the company immensely proud!’