New waterpark in Perthshire could be ready by spring

Am a j o r n ew waterpark on Loch Tay which is expected to pump millions of pounds into the local economy could be ready by next spring.

Taymouth Marina was given planning permission last April for a host of new ventures including a new breakwater and 40 pontoons, to offer enhanced water sports.

The expansion will create new jobs at the resort and is expected to bring an estimated 100,000 visitors each year to the area.

Ma r i n a owner Eric Strickland is now awaiting one final piece of planning permission, to allow motorboats to enter their berths, before beginning work on the project.

The resort team applied to Pe r t h has and

Kinross Council to remove a condition from the planning approval which states “no power boating or jet skiing is permitted as part of the development”.

Mr Strickland hopes the condition will be removed this year, allowing him to build the new complex over the winter in time for spring tourist season.

“It’s the catalyst for us to create another eight fulltime jobs,” he said.

“It increases our tourist footfall considerably to the marina and that benefits other tourist businesses in the area.

“It’s another reason for folk to come to a remote part of Perthshire, for holidays, for day trips etc.

“We’re all geared up to do it over the winter when it’s quieter so it’s all ready and in place for next spring.”

He said the firm had a contractor lined up and were hopeful they could provide work for his employees over the winter.

“We’re ready to go but from a funding point of view we can’t do it with this condition in place,” he added. the

The new waterpark and berthing station is part of a 10-year plan to create a major holiday complex.

Mr Strickland said: “My wife and I have been on a journey redeveloping what was Cro f t -na -caber watersports resort which had its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s and we’ve been redeveloping it for the last 10 years.

“Our ambition is to create the best holiday resort in the UK and we’re on our journey of doing that.”

Loch Tay is also due to see an increase in visitor numbers a f ter the neighbouring Crannog Centre unveiled ambitious plans to transform its museum into a “national treasure” and submitted a proposal to purchase 12 acres of land by Loch Tay.

Our ambition is to create the best holiday resort in the UK

PROJECT: The expansion of Taymouth Marina is expected to bring an estimated 100,000 visitors a year to the area.