Momentum builds to restart Caithness abattoir

The North Coast Abattoir Group is planning to refurbish the former premises of Caithness Beef and Lamb, with an estimated cost of around £1.6m.

The slaughterhouse had been inactive since it closed in 2011, however the group stated that ‘the basics were still there’. On site there is lairage, an effluent plant, water borehole, insulation and power, but the group hoped to raise capital funds for re-installing items such as refrigeration plant, hanging rails and associated equipment.

The demand for a facility seems strong. A survey of local farmers came back with a significant interest on using it for private kills. The response suggested there was a demand for an annual throughput of at least 221 cattle, 1534 sheep and goats and 688 pigs.

Group chair, Morris Coghill, said: “We have a business case demonstrating that if the full capital costs are covered by grant aid/match funding, we can operate the plant and offer comparable pricing to our customers.