The Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company has secured up to £5,690 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs of £14,230.

The funding will be used to help cover the costs of plant, equipment and construction works to develop a fourth evaporation pond that will produce an additional 1,000 kg of salt a year.

Using water from Loch Snizort on northwest Skye, Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company produces top quality sea salt that is distinctive from other UK sea salts in both texture and taste.

It is believed to be the only salt producer in the UK to use environmentally friendly solar evaporation in production, instead of mechanical methods.

The company was acquired by the Rodière family in 2023 and is run by Elisa Rodière and Antoine Bouré who plan to grow the business over the next three years.

So far, the team have released two flavoured salts, designed new packaging, redesigned the company website, attended trade fares, and connected with new suppliers.

The firm has strong links with the hospitality trade, supplying hotels and restaurants that are keen to promote local produce.

There are currently three people employed at Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company and the most recent expansion project will create at least one more post.

Anna Campbell, development officer with HIE’s Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross team, said: “The food and drink sector is a major contributor to our region’s economy and one that provides vital employment opportunities across many of our rural areas.

“The Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company is a great example of how the natural environment can be used to create valuable commercial opportunities in a sustainable way.

“The company has shown considerable ambition over the past year or so and looking to realise its potential for further growth.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to support this latest initiative and look forward to continuing to work with the team as they develop the new evaporation pond.”

Elisa Rodière said: “We are very pleased with how things have been going for the business over the past year or so and with the support from HIE.

“Our sales forecasts are strong, and we plan to recruit a new member of the team in the next few months. We’re looking forward to bringing adding the fourth evaporation pond. This will make sure we can increase our productivity in line with growing demand.”