Our story

The CFWET (Crom-Shed) has a significant history. It evolved from the Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust, which was established in August 1999 by Lord David Nickson, Dr Derek Mills, and a few others. The principle objectives of the original Trust were the promotion and undertaking of research into the freshwater fishery resources, including salmon and sea trout, and of the associated habitat in the area of the Cromarty Firth, extending from Tarbat Ness in the North to the South Sutor in the South. The area of focus covered the catchment area of all rivers that flow into the Firth for the benefit of all people interested in such fishery resources. Complementing these aims, was the objective to advance education of all persons interested in fishery resources and associated habitats by raising their awareness and understanding of the importance of such resources, habitats and their conservation. 

Unlike other Scottish fisheries trusts established in the 1990s, it was decided that rather than employ anyone, the trust would use a financial resource established with generous local landowner and proprietor donations to establish a fund to support activities identified by the Cromarty Firth DSFB. A significant number of small projects were undertaken ranging from supporting primary school education, to research aimed at salmon conservation, using the annual interest accrued by the "fighting fund".

Following Covid, and a change in chairmanship, a strategic decision was taken to use the funds previously accumulated in a different way. Similar to other organisations, and as a response to the climate and biodiversity crises, the Trust focus was extended to concentrate on the long-term development of catchment-scale habitat restoration as the best way of protecting the rivers for the future. To attempt this ambitious plan, and to be in a position to apply for environmental grants and other support, the Fisheries Trust was wound up and the "fighting fund" resources were incorporated within the Crom-Shed, which was established as a SCIO. Following the lengthy processes, CFWET was accepted by OSCR in September 2024, with a subtly different remit to the original Trust. Since then, the Crom-Shed has appointed a director, a project officer and an outreach and education officer.

The Crom-Shed has also been kindly supported by The European Nature Trust (TENT0 and the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers (FishCo) in its set up phase.

The aims and objectives of the Crom-Shed and the Cromarty Firth DSFB remain close and complementary, with members of the DSFB making up part of the Crom-Shed advisory group. In clear recognition of the origin of the CFWET funds, major capital expenditure using these resources result from agreement between the two parties.