From left: Cooke Scotland freshwater production manager Andy Young; managing director Colin Blair; Jenni Minto MSP; Morag Goodfellow, area manager at HIE; Cooke Scotland Cairndow site manager Owen Hutchins, at the groundbreaking ceremony at Cairndow hatchery.

Photo: Cooke Scotland

Cooke starts work on £20m-plus RAS conversion at flow-through hatchery

Editorial team Editorial team

Published March 10, 2026 - 12:08 p.m.

Salmon farmer Cooke Scotland has made its biggest ever single capital investment as it seeks to rear healthier, more robust smolts.

The Canadian-owned company is spending upwards of £20 million on a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) at its hatchery at Cairndow, at the head of Loch Fyne in Argyll.

Designed to significantly reduce freshwater usage while enhancing water control, the system will allow the hatchery staff to rear better smolts with lower environmental impact.

The company invited Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto and local residents to a groundbreaking ceremony at the site last week.

A major step forward

“This groundbreaking event signals a major step forward for our freshwater operations to increase the supply of bigger, healthier smolts for our sites for years to come,” said Cooke Scotland managing director Colin Blair.

“As the largest single capital project Cooke Scotland has commissioned, this development aligns with our commitment to fish welfare as well as growing the business responsibly and sustainability.

“We’re thankful for the grant support for this project which will double the workforce at the hatchery. It will also further sustain and create more long-term, well-paid jobs throughout the company and supply chain – presenting more opportunities for local people to work in the rural communities they live in.”

Cooke Scotland freshwater manager Andy Young explains the development to Jenni Minto MSP and members of the local community.

RAS reduce water consumption compared to traditional flow-through systems, such as the one at Cairndow currently where five members of staff are employed.

The fully integrated system at Cairndow will exceed the size of the RAS in operation at Cooke’s Furnace Hatchery, also situated in Argyll and Bute, on the north shore of Loch Fyne. Work at Cairndow is expected to be completed next year, with the first eggs estimated to arrive on site in December 2027.

Boost for the economy

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic first dig by employees and invited guests including Minto.

“I was delighted to attend,” said the MSP. “Aquaculture plays a significant role in our local economy, and this expansion will allow Cooke Scotland to increase their production, bringing more jobs to Cowal and giving our economy a boost. I look forward to seeing the works completed.”

Cooke Scotland received a £567,672 grant from Marine Fund Scotland towards the development, and is also working closely with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). HIE area manager for Argyll and the Islands, Morag Goodfellow, said: “Aquaculture is hugely important to the Argyll economy. It’s a growth industry and one that provides many good quality rural employment opportunities, particularly for young people. This in turn helps to attract and retain talent and sustain community resilience in many areas.

“It’s great to see this latest inward investment from Cooke Scotland, which will strengthen the sector’s impact and create jobs.”