Scottish rope grown mussels produced by Inverlussa Shellfish based in Loch Spelve on the Isle of Mull will take a starring role on BBC TV’s James Martins “Home Comforts” programme later this week. When we anchor in Loch Spelve, on our Magical Mull cruises, a major highlight is to buy fresh mussels from our friends, the Wilsons, to serve up at dinner onboard.
A TV crew from the programme visited Inverlussa last summer and saw at first-hand how the mussels are grown and cultivated. Shown around the farm on Loch Spelve by Inverlussa director Douglas Wilson and manager Cameron Maclean, the environmentally friendly manner of the cultivation of Scottish mussels was explained and their excellent taste and nutritional properties highlighted.
The mussels are grown on ropes suspended from buoys in the sea and feed naturally off plankton in the rich tidal flows to ensure the growth of succulent and sweet tasting shellfish. Inverlussa is a member of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group, a co-operative of mussel and oyster farmers based on the Scottish west coast and Shetland.
Following the tour, the Inverlussa team served a tasty meal of sweet and sour mussels cooked up by nine-year-old Charlie Knight, the grandson of Douglas Wilson.
Douglas said: “It was great to welcome the Home Comforts team to Inverlussa and for us to be able to show how we grow our quality mussels. They really are the most superb tasting shellfish and their popularity with consumers is growing all the time.”
Nicola Kingscote, Series Producer, said: “We were thrilled to film on the Isle of Mull with a local firm catching such wonderful mussels. We were also treated to a special cook up outside by the loch, with a tasty mussel recipe courtesy of nine year old Charlie Knight. Some of the most beautiful shots and flavours of the series were captured on Loch Spelve in the company of Cameron and Douglas and their families.”
The programme James Martin: Home Comforts, under the theme “Friday Night Suppers”, will be aired on BBC1 at 15.45 on Friday 23 January. It will then be available on BBC Iplayer.
From start to finish this was an exceptional cruise. Skipper James was determined to get us to St Kilda, despite the poor weather conditions, we rocked and rolled our way there, and what a place it was, it certainly exceeded my bucket list expectations! James is so considerate to all his crew and guests. Lynsay our guide was marvelous and encouraged me to climb The Gap, despite my knee issue I made it, and what a view I had of the village and Village Bay from the rock I chose to sit on for my picnic. Lynsay's patience with fellow guests and knowledge of her birds and flora were excellent. Jaya our chef extraordinaire made delicious meals, and as for her home made daily cakes they were to die for. Sofia was very attentive to all our needs and kept the whole boat immaculate. she is a little gem. The islands we visited had such variety, and from day to day it was a surprise as to where we would be next, due to the strong winds, James was kept on his toes to keep us all safe and busy. I still cannot believe the abundance of seabirds we saw, and so close. The dolphins were a treat. top marks to everyone at Hebrides Cruises.
Deirdre Brown: 8 June 2024St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides