Entrepreneur Offers Free Scottish Fish Smokery to New Owner

Richard Irvine plans to give away his successful fish smokery in Colonsay, Scotland, to someone willing to embrace life on a remote island. With a growing pool of international interest, he hopes to find the right candidate by summer.

In an inspiring yet unconventional move, Richard Irvine, a business veteran and owner of the Colonsay Smokery on the remote Scottish island of Colonsay, has announced his willingness to give away his entire fish smoking business—free of charge. But there’s a condition: the new owner must be prepared to relocate to the island, which has a population of only 125 residents.

The 65-year-old founder established the smokery in 2022 with the idea of eventually handing it over to the right individual. He shared in a recent interview that the interest in this unique offer has far exceeded his expectations. “I’m getting loads and loads of inquiries from people I’d call dreamers and schemers,” Irvine noted, mentioning interest from places as far as St. Lucia as well as inquiries from Italy, Spain, and the United States, fueled by media coverage from the BBC.

As global unrest and economic hardships push many to seek simpler, quieter lifestyles, the allure of island life—combined with the chance to run a business—has sparked considerable interest. Irvine described Colonsay as an ideal escape from the hectic pace of urban living. He indicates that he anticipates choosing a recipient for the smokery by midsummer, but admits that he hasn’t quite figured out how to narrow down the sea of applicants.

In this chaotic world, the opportunity to own and operate a unique business in a picturesque location serves as a testament to the dream of combining work with tranquility. Will Irvine find someone daring enough to take on this challenge? Only time will tell as applicants from all corners of the globe vie for their chance at this extraordinary opportunity.