We started with a handful of spat, and a headful of dreams.
We are very lucky to have a strong and dedicated team all living here on Barra to help us look after our oysters. Its extremely tough work with the weather being our biggest challenge but luckily our guys are very passionate about what we do and all know that our utterly delicious oysters are worth the effort.
It takes a wide range of skills to raise an oyster from a tiny seed all the way onto your plate. Each one of our people plays a valuable role in the Barra Island family a community brought together by an enthusiasm for our work and a love of great oysters.
Gerard MacDonald
Gerard is Martin’s brother and one of our founding directors. He has lived on Barra for the last 11 years and lives with his Partner Claire, and their family. He has worked in aquaculture, growing both salmon and shellfish since 1986.
When he is not tending to our oysters he enjoys crofting and sells fresh snails collected on his croft. He likes to eat his oysters either grilled with cream and parmesan cheese or au natural with red onion and red wine vinegar!
GERARD
MACDONALD
Martin MacDonald
Martin is Gerard’s brother, and one of our founding directors. He has lived on Barra for the last 3 years. Martin is married and has 3 daughters. He has many years experience of both salmon and oyster farming but prior to moving to Barra, he made aluminium for a living.
Martin enjoys reading and bird watching when he is not looking after our oysters. He likes to eat his oysters Rockafella style.
MARTIN
MACDONALD
Donald MacLeod MBE
Donald is Eoghan’s dad (Eoghan works with us) and is one of our founding directors. He was born and brought up on Barra. He is married to Jennieann. and has three sons and a daughter.
Donald worked for 30 years as a creel fisherman doing repairs to boats during periods of bad weather and 4 years ago he turned his hand to oyster farming. Donald does most of the fabrication, repairs and mooring work on the farm.
He is a volunteer coxswain on Barra lifeboat helping develop and pass on local knowledge to the rest of the team. Donald has many interests, finding time to pursue them is the issue. Donald prefers his oysters cooked.
DONALD
MACLEOD MBE
