Funding has been given to the farming community on the Isle of Skye and Lochalsh to commence construction of an abattoir to ensure local meat production is financially viable.
The grant will support the development of Skye and Lochalsh micro-abattoir as part of the Prince’s Countryside Fund most recent round of funding.
The vision for the project is to deliver a community owned and managed, small scale, fit for purpose slaughter facility.
This will make local meat production and provision financially viable for the Skye and Lochalsh farming and crofting communities.
Elgar Finlay from Skye and Lochalsh said the grant will help purchase “essential equipment” for the project.
“Our aim is to operate as a service for local Skye meat producers, farmers, and crofters, and in doing so minimize the environmental impact, and optimise animal welfare, in local meat production,” Mr Finlay said.
Prince’s Countryside Fund said it gave out the grant because short supply chains help to uphold the highest level of animal welfare, and helps to support farming families.
The rural charity has given out more than £300,000 of grants in its most recent round of funding.
It follows news of Orkney Council confirming earlier this year that the island's only abattoir will shut, leaving a farming union to find a resolution for the island's farmers.
The abattoir, which is run by the local butcher consortium Orkney Meat Processors Ltd (OMPL), was closed in January due to fears that standards will not be able to be upheld without substantial investment.
