New lease of life for Lewis pier
THE PIER and slipway at Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis, has been brought into the 21st century thanks to a £5,000 grant from community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust.
The pier, which dates back to the 1950s, is still a big draw and amenity at the end of the Point peninsula, despite being used more by leisure boats than fishing boats nowadays.
Much-needed repairs to the pier have now been completed in time for the summer season with the slipway in particular getting a major revamp, with around £10,000 spent on lengthening it and easing its gradient. Previously so steep that a winch was needed, it can now be accessed by cars, making it much easier to launch and retrieve boats.
Point and Sandwick Trust gave £5,000 towards the cost of improving the slipway, with the other £5,000 coming from the Scottish Landfill Tax. PST also gave £2,000 towards painting the pier and bridge walls, plus the former lighthouse store nearby.
There were a few other improvements, including the creating of ‘rock armour’ around the burn to lessen the likelihood of it getting clogged up with seaweed and other debris. That was also funded by the Scottish Landfill Tax.
A picnic area has also been created, funded by a number of bodies, including Scottish Natural Heritage.
The improvements around the pier have been driven forward by the Portnaguran Amenity Committee, who have even bigger plans for developing the village.