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.
What a fantastic cruise! Despite not being able to reach St Kilda because of the weather, the skipper (Charlie), who knew the area and islands in great detail, took us to some magical places. Mingulay was our favourite - the beautiful beach was full of seals and we also saw a lot of nesting puffins. Bella (wildlife expert) pointed out the numerous different seabirds, plus porpoise and minky whales and took us for walks most days. We were looked after extremely well by Jasmine (steward) who worked tirelessly to look after us and made sure we had coffees/teas/drinks. And the food was exceptional- Sian is an extremely talented chef. Thank you to the crew who made our holiday so special. Wendy and John
Wendy Wheatcroft: 3 June 2024St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides