Scalloway harbour and UHI training boat projects awarded government funding

SIZEABLE grants for the redevelopment of a Scalloway harbour pier and for a new training boat for UHI Shetland are included in the latest round of Scottish Government marine funding.

Shetland Islands Council (SIC) has been awarded £242,250 for a project looking at the redevelopment and upgrade of Scalloway Harbour’s west pier.

The SIC previously said it recognised that a future replacement will be needed for the pier, which could also be extended, and that the current layout of the harbour area could be improved.

A spokesperson said the funding will be used to develop an outline business case for the possible future development of the west pier.

“The funding will principally meet the costs of necessary surveys and consenting works which will be required for the next stages of the project, subject to agreement by councillors,” they added.

UHI Shetland has also benefitted to the tune of £387,600 for the purchase of a new training boat to deliver MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) courses.

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LHD has also been awarded nearly £250,000 for a new machine for its Lerwick ice factory.

The grant awards have come via the Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland scheme for 2026/27.

Elsewhere two private individuals, described as young fishers, are listed as having been awarded £75,000 each towards the purchase of their first vessel.

UHI Shetland has also been awarded nearly £74,000 for a project aimed at improving ling stock assessment.

A grant of nearly £50,000 has also been awarded to Shetland Mussels Ltd to buy equipment to trial new mussel growing techniques.

Some nationwide projects have received funding which will also have relevance to the local fleet, including grants for Seafish’s safety training courses, and KIMO’s fishing for litter scheme.

In total the 2026/27 funding round amounts to more than £16 million across Scotland.

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Marine and islands minister Jim Fairlie said: “Our seafood and aquaculture sectors are of vital importance to our coastal and island communities and a crucial contributor to Scotland’s economy, so it is great that this £16 million round of the Marine Fund Scotland will support projects that aim to create a total of 122 jobs.

“This fund has awarded over £86 million to 499 projects since 2021, generating more than £185 million investment.

“By backing industry, we want to play our part in increasing aquaculture production and sales by £3.5 million.

“The successful projects will improve the marine and coastal environment, provide essential data collection, training, and education, while giving people the chance to get involved in helping to preserve our incredible seas.”

Anyone looking at the Scottish Government’s spreadsheet on the funding awards may be advised to treat the projects’ locations with caution – given that the LHD grant is described as Devon-based, for instance, and the UHI Shetland training boat is listed as a Perth and Kinross project.