Lochaber Enterprise assists three companies to take to the water

Lochaber Enterprise has approved funding towards three companies looking to provide visitors and locals with access to the water - for water adventure trips, sea kayaking and launching private boats.
 
Blue Horizon Sea Kayaks, established by Stuart Hood, is a new business providing guided sea kayak trips and coaching for people of all levels, but particularly those who are new to the sport.

Based near Fort William, Stuart is able to access most of the area's sea lochs within an hour's drive, and can accommodate eight people for each session. Stuart has received a £2,625 start-up grant from Lochaber Enterprise to help towards the equipment he requires for his new venture.

Arisaig Marine operates the causeway, boat repair, yacht storage facility and moorings at Arisaig, alongside a seasonal passenger ferry service to the Small Isles. Until now, Arisaig Marine had to hire a crane for three days in the spring to launch all the boats in storage, and then again in October to put them back into storage for the winter.

The company has received £6,727 assistance from Lochaber Enterprise and European assistance with a HIE Activities grant of £3,623 to purchase their own equipment, which will enable their customers to choose when they launch and store their boats. The new equipment is due to arrive early in August.

The project will provide an opportunity to attract more yacht storage work and more repair work for the boatyard, increasing income during the winter when the passenger ferry service is not operating.

Graham MacLellan, managing director of Arisaig Marine alongside his partner Susan Grant, said: "This new equipment will be a great boost for the business, as it will allow our customers more flexibility. Our customers have been very keen to see this happen, and we expect this may attract more yacht storage and repair work for the boat yard. If repairs are required during the season, the customers will not need to pay for the hire of a crane on top of the work, which will make a big difference."

Monster Activities, based near Laggan on Loch Oich, offers a wide range of water and land-based outdoor activities but in order to expand, the company required to purchase a more reliable and powerful boat. Lochaber Enterprise awarded the company a £1,700 development grant and the also received funding through HIE Activities of £1,400.

HIE Activities was launched earlier this year to support development of outdoor activities for the tourism market. This also reflects HIE's commitment to expanding the outdoor and adventure pursuits sector, which was identified as an area with considerable potential for growth in a recent study.

Charlotte Wright, chief executive of Lochaber Enterprise, said: "These three businesses, although all at different stages, will bring valuable new services to visitors to the area and locals looking to make use of the fantastic water locations we have in Lochaber. Businesses like these are vital in helping to realise our vision to establish Lochaber as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, which will strengthen the tourism industry, increase visitor numbers and encourage more people to live in the area."

Earlier this month, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, in Lochaber, appointed a project director. Anna Trafford will oversee the management of the group's work in establishing the area as the UK capital for outdoor sport, adventure and tourism related activities.

Link to Arisaig Marine

Link to Monster Activities