£395k award for harbour facilities upgrade in Argyll

A £1.36m project to improve harbour facilities at an Argyll village has secured up to £395,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The village of Tarbert, which lies between Lochgilphead and Campbeltown, has an active fishing fleet and is also a popular location for leisure boats. It has a busy marina with more than 200 berths and the harbour as a focal point for community activity.

The facilities are operated by the Tarbert Harbour Authority (THA), a not-for-profit organisation operating as a social enterprise. THA ensures that harbour facilities and infrastructure are properly maintained and improved for the benefit of its users.

HIE has worked with THA over the past six years as it has developed and delivered several high-value capital projects.

The steady increase in visitor numbers over the years has been mirrored by growth in THA’s offering. Recent additions have included a new harbour office, chandlery, toilets, shower and laundry.

HIE’s latest funding approval will contribute towards construction of a launch and retrieval slipway. It’ll also help fund provision of a submersible boat hoist to launch and recover vessels, and an accessible pontoon for kayakers, wild swimmers and other water users.

The project will significantly improve harbour operations and safety. It’ll ease congestion within the marina and reduce turnaround times for boat handling. It will also create two new jobs.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said:

“This project will strengthen the links between the Tarbert community and the marine heritage. It will enhance the visitor offering in the area, providing opportunities for visitors to stay longer, which will benefit the local economy. And of course, it will create more local jobs.

“I’m delighted we’re able to provide support and look forward to continuing to work with the harbour authority as it takes forward this latest initiative.”

Roger Godfrey, chair of the Harbour Board of Trustees, said:

“We are deeply grateful and delighted to receive this generous support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for such an important development at Tarbert Harbour. The launch and retrieval slipway, together with the submersible boat hoist and accessible pontoon, will make a real difference to our operations and to everyone who uses the Harbour.

“This investment will improve safety during lifting operations and enhance the experience for visitors and local water users alike. It’s a major step forward for our community, for the future of Tarbert as a vibrant marine destination and in supporting the local economy.”