Yacht marina hub planned for Harris 9/10/14
Plans for a £1.3 million yacht marina project in Harris have taken a step forward.
Funding applications have been submitted to install floating pontoons and marina facilities at Tarbert and Scalpay.
The plan is for the ports -
Unlike Scalpay’s north harbour, Tarbert is sheltered from the north west winds but is exposed to south easterlies funnelling up the sea loch.
Between the two destinations, a yacht would find shelter from strong winds.
The project is being led by local agency, Harris Development Limited (HDL) which is confident the development will boost tourism, attract extra visitors, mean more trade for local shops, cafes and hotels.
Gordon MacDonald of HDL said: “It is slightly unusual as we’re looking for twin-
“It’s partly to do with capacity and also for resilience in all weathers.”
Mr MacDonald added: “In the wider background there’s been a massive increase in marine tourism in the last couple of years with development at Stornoway, Lochboisdale and Lochmaddy.”
He said Harris would be a critical link in the chain of emerging sailing facilities down the Hebrides.
A bid for a chunk of development money from the The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund is at an advance stage with a decision expected in December.