Salar Smokehouse

An Outer Hebrides smokehouse is putting its expansion plans in motion as it announces it is set to move into new premises in Benbecula in the next month, after owners accessed specialist growth support from Business Gateway.

Salar Smokehouse currently produces a range of smoked salmon products from its site at Loch Carnan in South Uist and delivers across the UK. The business will move 12 miles north to new premises in Uachdar, allowing it to increase production, improve efficiency and be more accessible to visitors.

Salar Smokehouse was founded in 1997, producing the finest flaky smoked salmon fresh from the area. Iain MacRury took over operations in 2015 and now runs it with his wife Emma. The smokehouse produces traditional and flavoured smoked salmon, including honey and thyme and chilli and lime.

Based in South Uist since its inception, the business purchased premises in Benbecula in 2022 as part of its future expansion plans. The building required major refurbishment works which are now almost complete and the team is preparing to move location.

The new premises will include a croft shop to sell Salar Smokehouse’s products and local produce, as well as a deli sandwich counter offering a taste of fresh Outer Hebrides produce and seafood. It is 200 yards from the main road so will have much higher foot traffic than their previous location.

The move will bring it closer to Charlie’s Bistro, a restaurant and B&B also run by Iain and Emma, which uses the freshest local products and ingredients.

Salar employs a team of six local people all year round with seasonal staff onboarded during peak times throughout the year.

With demand increasing, Iain and Emma set their sights on expansion and approached Business Gateway for growth support. Local adviser Alastair Macleod provided regular guidance including recommendations to strengthen the couple’s business plans and signposting them to funding.

The business was awarded Comhairle grant and loan funding, which allowed Salar to cover the costs of new equipment and the refurbishment of the new premises.

Iain MacRury, managing director of Salar Smokehouse, said:

“Growing Salar Smokehouse has been on the cards for a while, but without the support from Business Gateway it might not have been possible. Alastair’s advice has been invaluable to help us perfect our business plan and to spot gaps that we might’ve missed. We’ve built a great relationship with Alastair and the Business Gateway team and can’t thank them enough.”

“The new premises are taking shape thanks to our staff and local tradesman. We’re excited to be able to experiment with new products and recipes with the expanded space. We’re looking forward to expanding our target market and giving more people the chance to taste delicious salmon from the Outer Hebrides.”

Alastair Macleod, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“I’m excited to see the new premises Iain and Emma have been working towards opening. Their desire to grow and belief in their business has been fantastic to witness and it’s great to see it coming to fruition. I can’t wait for more people to be able to taste their produce.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business visit the Business Gateway website.