SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, sponsored a photography exhibition in Holyrood last week featuring the experience of migrant fishers in the Western Isles. 

The exhibition at the parliament was on behalf of researcher Dr Maria Luisa Caputo from the University of Parma in Italy and the University of Edinburgh.

Featuring Western Isles-based fishers, the exhibition highlighted the contribution of migrants to the local economy here and in and the rest of Scotland, as well as the specific challenges they can often encounter.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome Maria Luisa to the Scottish Parliament to showcase the important research and advocacy work she and her team have been involved in over recent years, working with migrants, particularly in the fishing sector, across the Western Isles. Migrant workers are hugely important to the viability of many of our islands’ industries, and it is important to ensure they feel valued and integrated in the local community. I am glad other MSPs will have had a chance this week to learn about the importance of fishing for our islands as well as the challenges sometimes faced by migrant workers.”

Dr Caputo said:

“Myself and Prof. Baglioni are very thankful to Alasdair Allan MSP for sponsoring this exhibition. This research aims to highlight the key social and economic contributions migrants bring to rural and remote communities, as well as the success of their integration with vibrant and supportive local communities. It also seeks to raise awareness of the crucial impact of migration on the fishing sector, a culturally and economically vital industry for the Western Isles, and to emphasise the need for viable migration routes for migrant fishers to come and work in this country. I am deeply grateful to all those in the Western Isles who actively participated in this research and to COSLA for their support."

This project stems from the EU-funded ‘MATILDE’ research project on migration's socio-economic impact in rural areas of Scotland.

One of the most prominent areas the research focussed on in the Western Isles was the impact of labour shortage and integration of migrants within local fishing communities. As part of the research, a Western Isles -based photographer was hired to produce two series of photos, in Stornoway and in Uist. The photos were exhibited at An Lanntair in 2023.