Gairloch Harbour will today (Monday) see the first in a series of planned improvements to attract more vessels to the area as a new pontoon is installed.

With £62,000 funding secured from Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) towards the £86,000 project, construction can now begin on the new 60 metre structure, which boasts 12 berths with a capacity for up to 30 rafted vessels.

This new development has come about as a result of tireless campaigning from the community, who have been working towards improving the harbour for several years.

In its present state, Gairloch Harbour lacks suitable landing and berthing facilities and has limited space to accommodate both commercial and leisure craft so in 1999, Gairloch Community Harbour Association (GCHA) was set up to promote and develop the harbour for the benefit of both the leisure and fishing sector.  The committee secretary, Richard Greene, is pleased that work is finally underway.

Mr Greene said:  "This project has come to fruition as a result of widespread community effort, and stoic efforts on the part of GCHA. Funding in the face of stiff opposition from other projects has been sourced, and we believe the benefits to the Gairloch community and the harbour will be immense.

"We have, in tandem with our consultants Wallace Stone at Dingwall, sourced a system with a suitability of design to withstand the demands of conditions at the harbour.

"This is the first phase to upgrade facilities here and demand from fishing vessels, leisure craft, cruise liners and other commercial vessels is actively being encouraged. Improvements to the existing pier and the harbour to accommodate that demand is the ultimate goal."

The pontoon will signal a major tourism boost for the area and help to establish the west coast village as an attractive yachting destination, while ensuring that fishermen's interests in the harbour are safeguarded.  

Mr Greene continued:  "In working up these proposals, we have consulted closely with local fishermen to ensure that this new development can go ahead without prejudicing the very important commercial fishing operations in the harbour."

The project has also received funding from Highland Council (Harbours), Wester Ross Initiative and the Highland Council.   The Council has agreed to take on responsibility for the pontoon's on-going maintenance.

RACE chief executive, Gordon Cox, said:  "The Gairloch Harbour development is an excellent example of local initiative combining with public sector assistance to provide a valuable amenity for the local area.  With this improved infrastructure, we anticipate that more money will be brought into the area by visiting yachtsmen to the benefit of local suppliers, restaurants and hotels and we are delighted to assist GCHA to bring forward such a worthwhile development.

"The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network has invested significantly in marine facilities and infrastructure over the years.  The improvements at Gairloch should help to create a more complete network of destinations and encourage more yachts to come to the north west Highlands."

Councillor Roy Macintrye, chair of the Harbour Association, commented: "I am delighted the work is going ahead on the first phase of our development for the facilities for leisure craft in Gairloch.

"This project has been eagerly awaited and I'm sure it will be of great benefit to the area."