Isle of Lewis Bakkafrost fish plants could be mothballed

Mr Allan said production at Marybank could be suspended until at least 2027.

He said he had been reassured there would be no job losses at the company’s fish farms across the Western Isles.

Mr Allan said: “Obviously this news is devastating for the Isle of Lewis, and it will be a deeply worrying time for the employees of the plant and their families.

“This is one of the island’s largest employers and these job losses will have other knock-on impacts on smaller local business.”

The isles’ Labour MP Torcuil Crichton said: “This is a grave blow for the Marybank employees – some of whom are long-serving and skilled staff – and the island economy.

“I have spoken to the company this week and realistically it does not look likely that the mothballed plant will be reopened.”