Inveraray looks to Tarbert for marine tourism ideas

PLANS continue apace to open up Inveraray’s waterfront to marine tourism and the town is learning from another lochside community with a well-developed tourism strategy.

Members of the Inspire Inveraray group met Tarbert Harbour Authority representatives on April 27 to see what maritime ideas could be adopted.

‘We’re very grateful to Tarbert for offering to help us,’ said Inspire Inveraray vice-chairman Derrick Anstee. ‘They have considerable experience in running a harbour since Tarbert gets much more marine traffic as they are closer to the busy waters of the Clyde estuary and Kyles of Bute.’

The aim for Inveraray is to attract more vessels of all sizes up Loch Fyne to the vicinity of the town, provide easier disembarkation and hopefully enable the re-opening of the pier. Inspire Inveraray is now looking at options, including taking on the public toilet building at the pier head and installing showers for marine visitors. ‘With support from the Tarbert harbour team, we have been encouraged to produce a marine masterplan that will start with four visitor moorings and a pontoon landing,’ continued Mr Anstee.

‘Inveraray has so much to offer visitors.’

Better access to Loch Fyne would encourage sailing, rowing, water-skiing, kayaking and angling. Community-built St Ayles skiff clubs, started by the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, are becoming popular around Scotland’s coast and Inveraray would make an ideal base for such a project.

Cruise ships currently come up the loch every year to take in the scenery, but rarely anchor. A pontoon would allow them to discharge passengers via tenders, a procedure commonly used in the cruise industry when a large ship cannot dock in a small port.

A renovated and reopened pier would be a key attraction as the focal point of the waterfront. Inspire Inveraray also believes there are prospects for new business opportunities such as a ships’ chandler, rowing boat hire and motor boat excursions to view the local coastline and wildlife, including seals, otters, porpoises and seabirds.

If readers have any ideas for Inveraray, contact Inspire Inveraray via its Facebook page.