The KelpCrofters Team

  • Martin is a fisherman, sailor, mountaineer, diver and general 'ideas man', with a very detailed understanding of the local seas, and a well-established love for kelp. Observing kelp growing on his fishing gear led Martin to develop equipment and methods to naturally wild-seed kelp on a larger scale. In 2019 he developed and patented KelpRing, an innovative structure for growing kelp in salmon cages to provide a natural stress-free habitat for cleaner fish. This work laid the foundations for the establishment of KelpCrofters Ltd.. Martin’s fishing and extensive 'sea-going' experience, as well as his innovative ideas are invaluable assets to the business.

  • Kyla has a Marine Science PhD from the Scottish Association of Marine Science. The PhD focused on the environmental impacts of harvesting kelp for biofuel. Kyla has worked as an independent marine ecological consultant based in Plockton for ten years, engaging with the fishing industry, and working on projects related to improving management of our seas. KelpCrofters is arguably Kyla’s brainchild, and she keeps the ship afloat. She established and runs our kelp hatchery to supply seed-stock for the farm. Kyla takes the lead in all scientific aspects of the business and is the driving force in product development for KelpCrofters.

  • Alex is a Landscape Architect with a long background in forest design, and has a finely tuned obsession with maximising efficiency and reducing environmental and visual impact. Alex designed and built his own net-zero autonomous house on the family croft. His acquired skills, eye for detail (and large shed) are put to good use in the development and construction of farm and business infrastructure. Happy to ‘think outside the box’, Alex enjoys the design challenges in coming up with novel bits of new equipment, from the construction of Kyla's seeding laboratory to the creation of transport barges and harvesting platforms.

The other member of the team; solid, versatile and dependable Ailsa