Second generation Angus family firm offering top quality smoked fish

IAN FORSYTH Farmers’ markets are proving productive for a long-established Angus seafood business.

Arbroath Fisheries has its roots going back to 1964, when Eric Scott started his own firm.

The venture is now owned by his son, Campbell Scott, and his wife, Fiona, who took charge 12 years ago.

The firm based in Seagate sells a large variety of seafood, and specialises in hot smoked salmon and Arbroath smokies.

Its white fish comes from Peterhead and Shetland, and the salmon is from Shetland.

The company’s customer base predominantly in Scotland.

Arbroath Fisheries currently has seven staff - a mix of full and part-time.

On an average week, the firm smokes more than 100 kg of salmon and around 50-60 pairs of smokies.

As well as the shop in Arbroath, it has three vans on the road covering Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Auchterarder, Stirling, Perth and surrounding areas.

Farmers’ markets currently make up around 50% of the company’s turnover, a percentage which has grown steadily over the last 20 years.

The firm currently attends the markets at Montrose, Forfar, Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk, Kinross, Edinburgh (Castle Terrace), Glasgow (Partick), Laurencekirk and Logierait.

Arbroath Fisheries will also be at the first Kirriemuir market on September 1. is

“Our business over the past few years has moved direction in that we are attending a lot more farmers’ markets than previously,” Campbell said.

“Whilst door-to-door sales from our vans are still popular, these markets are making up more and more of our business.

“We are finding that there are a lot of areas who want to set up their own markets and it’s great for us since the customers come looking for you rather than us having to try and build up a new van round.

“Probably our biggest opportunities going forward lies with the farmers’ markets and the potential to develop van rounds in new areas.”

Campbell said customers are much more adventurous with seafood than in the past.

“The range of products that Arbroath Fisheries now offer is vast compared to say even 10 years ago. Seafood is regarded as being very healthy too.”

Campbell attributed the continuing success of his firm to offering a quality product at a fair price.

He added: “We would never sell anything we would not be happy eating ourselves. We have a very loyal customer base who appreciate this, as well as the range of products we can offer.”

Campbell said the biggest challenge facing Arbroath Fisheries is probably making sure growth remains steady.

“There are a lot of opportunities out there and there is definitely a demand for good-quality fresh fish and seafood.

“The challenge is making sure that you pick the right opportunities and know when to cut your losses when something isn’t working.” Clockwise: Campbell Scott shows off some of the top quality seafood Arbroath Fisheries handles. Campbell outside his distinctive shop and smokehouse. A rack of smokies over a fire pit.