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Delight as first phase of Cromarty Harbour revamp takes shape


By Hector MacKenzie

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Cromarty Harbour
Cromarty Harbour

The first phase in restoration of a historic Ross-shire harbour is nearing completion at a cost of more than £750,000.

The original Cromarty Harbour was built in 1784, the same year the harbour trust was formed. The trust said it was “delighted” the first phase of repairs is almost complete.

New fenders have been installed with rubber D fenders on alternate verticals to provide extra resilience. The missing step on the inner harbour steps is now in place and the ramp to the rear of the sheds has also undergone repair.

New mooring bollards will be fitted along the restored concrete pier which will allow the reopening of the berths on the inner harbour.

New floodlights and CCTV and two sturdy harbour ladders will also be installed as part of the project.

The two new finger pontoons installed earlier this year are proving successful, the harbour trust said, with plans to add two more in the coming months to extend the capacity of the harbour.

It said: “We are extremely grateful to the support of Historic Environment Scotland, Marine Scotland, Fisheries Local Action Group, Viridor, SSE Sustainable Communities, HIE, The Cromarty Trust, Highland Council, Friends of Cromarty Harbour, the valued support of local businesses, various other small donations and local fundraising, without which none of this would have been possible.

“A special thanks should also go to the great engineers at Wallace Stone and all the various contractors involved in the project. It has been exciting to see our stalwart contractors at last able to get back to work after lockdown. The harbour sheds, although they are looking way too smart to be described as merely sheds, are also well on their way to being finished and our prospective tenants are understandably eager to get access.

“Whilst we are in the process of seeking new funding to carry out extensive stone work repairs to the harbour next year, we are still waiting to hear if any of our current funding bids to repair the west pier surfacing and some of the voids in the structure have been successful. Let’s hope the weather holds a while longer as autumn approaches so that, funds permitting, we can start that project before the winter storms begin. We are hoping to collaborate with the University of the Highlands and Islands Construction and Built Environment Course to provide some workplace training for students in construction and conservation skills.”

Cromarty Harbour
Cromarty Harbour

It paid tribute to the hard work of its small group of volunteers, adding: “We would be delighted to welcome new recruits to help us maintain and manage the harbour which is so much at the heart of our wee town.”


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