Stòras Uibhist operates Grogarry Lodge and the associated sporting and fishing activity and manages the crofting estate in-house. Commercial leases are in place with a variety of tenant businesses and organisations that are strategically important to the local economy:

Quarries

Local construction companies and contractors operate six quarries to extract hard rock, moraine and sand for infrastructure projects funded by the local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and the Scottish Government as well as housing and other private sector building works.

Commercial Sites

A number of light industrial and other commercial sites are leased to a variety of private tenants. The sites vary from shore sites for the aquaculture industry, through office space and storage facilities to food processing factories and community facilities.

Fish Farms

Since the decline of fishing, fish farming has been an important sector in the economy of the Western Isles. Operators in the Stòras Uibhist Estate area have been increasingly turning to more sustainable methods of farming and one of the largest organic fish farm operations in the UK is based here.

Local businesses cover the entire process, from producing brood stock, through hatcheries and salt water growing sites, to processing and packaging.

Development Land

There are a number of areas of land available for commercial development in the Stòras Uibhist portfolio. Attractive lease terms are available and our in-house development staff will be happy to discuss any proposals you have and assist with bringing them to fruition were possible.

Stòras Uibhist has excellent links with local development agencies and other support services and will make any necessary introductions to help progress suitable projects.

Renewable Energy Project

The Stòras Uibhist Renewable Energy project is actively working towards installing up to 6.9MW of generating capacity to export power to the National Grid. Income from this project will be re-invested in the local economy to improve infrastructure and promote other business activity.

Small turbine projects are also being progressed to provide power direct to local businesses and Stòras Uibhist is happy to consider any potential projects that are proposed, whether existing businesses or new ventures.

Lochboisdale Port of Entry

Transport links to and from the islands are a major factor influencing commercial activity, tourism and daily life for local residents. With this in mind Stòras Uibhist is actively developing plans to build a new harbour and associated facilities, including waterfront housing, in Lochboisdale.

The new twin berth pier will accept boats up to 8.5m draft, including cruise liners and commercial boats, to complement the existing ferry services. Marshalling facilities, warehousing and other services will be provided to assist local businesses to compete in the mainland market.

With the arrival of RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) for ferry fares, the new Lochboisdale port will be the only facility in the islands designed and built to handle the expected increase in traffic.

If Stòras Uibhist is also successful in its efforts to secure a direct ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig then the local economy will be well-placed to compete with mainland markets for the first time.

In addition to the pier, the development will include housing, a marina and fishery and tourism services, all developed in the style of a traditional West Coast fishing village.

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