Annelie du Plessis visits the Highlands and Islands

by Annelie du Plessis, Senior Business Engagement Manager

Leaving the office behind and exploring the Highlands and Islands is a rare treat. Luckily, I had the chance to experience the breath-taking beauty of this region while the weather was on my side, and before the midges appeared! My journey took me to businesses that are leading the way in industrial biotechnology and sustainable seaweed farming.

One of the businesses that stood out to me was the Prickly Thistle Mill near Inverness. This mill weaves tartan on a century-old loom operated by a team of highly skilled people. They are B Corp certified and have a business model focused on people, ethical and transparent supply chains close to home, and doing everything they can for the community.

Prickly Thistle’s loom

Prickly Thistle’s 100 year old loom

At Kyle of Lochalsh, I visited the new seaweed processing facilities of Eco Cascade which went from concept to operations in less than 18 months! This development is a valuable resource for local seaweed farms and operators who need to dry their harvested seaweed. The timing of this development couldn't be better, as IBioIC has recently secured funding from Marine Scotland to establish seaweed fermentation capabilities at Flex Bio, our scale-up centre at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.

Kyle of Lochalsh

Eco Cascade’s facilities

Next, I visited the Isle of Skye where I had the opportunity to learn some of the practicalities of sustainable seaweed farming from Kelp Crofters. Dr Kyla Orr and her team are creating a truly sustainable and community-driven model for seaweed farming, and I was impressed by the intricacies and dedication involved in the process.

I was welcomed in Waternish by a group of entrepreneurs from Kaly who have applied for a marine licence to start seaweed farming at Loch Bay, and I am excited to see how Kaly's plans will come together.

Kyla Orr, Kelp Crofters

The trip concluded with the Oceans of Value community event organized by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It was heartening to see the island community coming together to safeguard and maximize the potential of their marine environment. The central role that the sea plays in the identity of the islanders was evident at the event, which provided valuable insight into their priorities and concerns when it comes to marine planning.

Overall, my field trip to the Highlands and Islands was an unforgettable experience. Witnessing first-hand the incredible work being done to bring Scotland closer to net zero was inspiring. I left feeling motivated to support these entrepreneurs and their sustainable business practices as part of the IBioiC team. The trip was a reminder that innovation, community-driven approaches, and sustainable practices are key to addressing the environmental challenges we face today.