Group confident of landing cash to build Fort pontoons

MARINA ASSOCIATION WAITING TO HEAR IF BID FOR GOVERNMENT CASH HAS BEEN SUCCCESSFUL

of the association, said he is confident they will be given the £150,000 needed, but said even if the application is rejected, it is ‘ only a matter of time’ before the facility is installed.

This comes after 800 holidaymakers on board a cruise liner had to be ferried from Loch Linnhe to dry land on a local seal- spotting boat, Souters Lass, when visiting Fort William in August.

Both crew and passengers gave feedback saying they would be keen to return, reigniting calls for somewhere for ships to berth in the town.

Norrie said: ‘ There’s a definite need for a landing strip here and we have the backing of Highland council.

‘ The Souters Lass was great but it wasn’t practical for disabled passengers. I’ve spoken to captains who said they would be keen to return if we had the right facilities.

‘ We’re meeting captains from Norwegian Line [cruise operators] to discuss the best way to make that happen.’

Norrie also said there is a growing need for a landing stage in Fort William and ideally this could be upgraded to a permanent cruise ship terminal for boats to berth: ‘ Everyone can see this is what the town is missing. It’s definitely going to happen, it’s just a matter of time and funding. If we don’t get this funding, we’ll find another way, it’s only a matter of time.

‘ When the Adonia visited last year it had 800 people on board. If we can have that more regularly it will be great for the town and its economy.

‘ In the long-term, we would like to have a hammer head terminal so ships can berth. That would mean the crew can also come on shore and would be spending money. But the last quote I had for that was around £12 million so that’s a long way away. It’s a bit “back to the future” because Fort William used to be a major port town but it’s all very positive and has plenty of backing.’

The deadline for funding applications closed on Tuesday and FWMSA will find out this month if it has been successful.

Brian Murphy, Highland councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, welcomed the plan: ‘ The feedback we got from the Adonia was very positive and it would be great for the town to see more of the same. I hope the association is successful.’

Highland council and Fort William community council have both confirmed their backing for the plan.