Highlands and Islands politicians say Arnish yard should be 'cut free'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two north MSPs have joined forces to secure a meeting with the administrators of BiFab to discuss future options for the Arnish fabrication yard on Lewis, and are calling for the facility to be "allowed to stand on its own two feet".
Rhoda Grant and Donald Cameron, who represent the Highlands and Islands for Labour and the Conservative respectively, say they will be meeting with Deloitte to receive a briefing on administration plans to date.
The company, which has the lease of Arnish as well as control of the Burntisland and Methil yards in Fife, has fallen into administration after the Scottish Government withdrew its support of guarantee for upcoming contract bids.
However, the MSPs say the Lewis community remains optimistic that Arnish has a future and should be "untethered" from the rest of BiFab’s assets.
Mrs Grant said: “There is overwhelming support from the local community and public sector organisations, as well as local landowners, that Arnish be allowed to stand on its own two feet and make its way in the world.
"There are interested owners standing in the wings and contracts waiting to be snapped up. It would be in the best interests of everyone that Arnish is cut free from the albatross of failure which the SNP has hung around its neck.
“It is a top-of-the range facility with a wealth of skills which have all been woefully underutilised under Scottish Government and BiFab oversight. We have the opportunity to become a world leader in fabrication and build an industry worthy of pride.
"The local community is champing at the bit to be allowed to market Arnish on the world stage."
The Scottish Government has said that nationalisation was considered "but this could not resolve the challenges presented by state aid rules".
A spokesman said last month that the Scottish Government would work with the administrators and unions "to secure a new future for the BiFab yards, helping ensure they are able to diversify and compete in this competitive market".
