Ex-soldier marches to success in new fish farming career

A former soldier who joined the salmon farming sector four years ago has thanked his colleagues and college tutors after a “totally unexpected” success in a rural skills awards competition.

Craig Findlay was named Aquaculture Learner of the Year in the Lantra Scotland Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS) last week.

Findlay, who is based in Strathcarron in the Highlands, completed a Diploma in Aquaculture through UHI Shetland’s Marine Science and Technology Department while working as a senior marine technician with Scottish Sea Farms at Kishorn.

“I’m a bit shocked to be honest - it’s unbelievable. I’m really happy with the win and it’s great to have the hard work recognised,” he said after receiving his trophy at the awards dinner at the Crieff Hydro Hotel.

Moved to the Highlands

Originally from East Kilbride, and a veteran with 13 years in the Army, he decided to try his hand at aquaculture after moving to the Highlands.

“I was ready for a new career and when I saw the Scottish Sea Farms job advert, I thought it was the perfect chance to learn something different,” Findlay said.

At Kishorn North, his farm manager, John McCrae, encouraged him to enrol at UHI Shetland.

“John has been very supportive, he has been in the industry long enough to know that the more you learn, the better you are,” said Findlay, who managed to fit in his course work on storm days when he couldn’t do much at sea. He credits his UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands) supervisor, Guy Tindall, with guiding him through the challenges.

“He was always on hand to take my calls and help me and, because he is from an aquaculture background, he can speak fish farmer!”

Findlay said aquaculture is the life for him now.

“It’s never mundane, every day is slightly different to the last. And there is the job satisfaction as well – watching the fish grow after months of hard work and knowing you’ve done the job to the very best of your ability.”

Runner-up

Another SSF emloyee, Finley Forwood, was runner-up in the Aquaculture Learner of the Year category.

Forwood completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture through UHI Shetland’s Marine Science and Technology Department while working as a fish health specialist at SSF’s Girlsta freshwater hatchery.

Nominated for the award by his assessor at UHI Shetland, Saro Saravanan, Finley paid tribute to his team and said being able to complete training alongside his work with the apprenticeship “has been a brilliant way to develop my skills”.

“Saro and the team from UHI Shetland were a huge help, with their expertise available both in person and over the phone. A big thank you to everyone who helped me complete the course.”

Last year, Finley, who is now working on his Level 4, was named the 2025 Marine Sciences Student of the Year upon graduating at UHI Shetland.

“I've always been obsessed with aquatic life, and growing up in rural areas gave me a deep respect for food production,” he said.

Higher Education category

Another fish farmer who picked up an accolade at the Lantra awards dinner last week was Billy Anderson from the Isle of Harris, who was runner-up in the Higher Education Award BSc category.

Anderson has been doing a Modern Apprenticeship Level 4 in Aquaculture with UHI Shetland while working as a site manager with Bakkafrost Scotland.