TEN YEARS AGO Friday March 1, 2013
Busy year for harbour
Campbeltown Harbour is set for one of its busiest years ever as it secures multi-million pound deals with companies in the forestry, leisure and renewable energy sectors.
Since the New Quay reopened, there have been numerous orders coming in for imports and exports, bringing in much-needed investment in Campbeltown.
This week alone, 10,000 tons of timber has been exported from Campbeltown with shipments going to destinations such as Sweden and Germany.
Wind Towers Ltd is also generating business for the harbour and this month sees six ships coming in to pick up towers, all heading to Londonderry.
Bigger vessels will now be able to enter the harbour as it has been dredged, making it deeper.
Harbourmaster Stephen Scally said: “The works have already improved things.
“The orders that we have got coming in mean we are pretty healthy this year and the dredged depth is catering for everything now.”
Cruise ships will be able to come right into the harbour, even at low tide, allowing tourists to disembark in the centre of Campbeltown
Mr Scally added: “To me, that’s what you want for a harbour.”
The long-term future is also looking bright for the harbour, as the council looks to brand the Machrihanish area as an international hub for renewable energy.
Lead councillor for infrastructure and development John Semple said: “What we really want for the harbour and for the local economy here is to highlight the potential for renewables in Kintyre. Campbeltown has the facilities at the harbour all ready without more investment required.”
After two postponements, Kintyre Agricultural Society finally held its annual ploughing match on what was a perfect day for the competition.
The event took place at Tonrioch Farm after the previous two weekends had been too wet for ploughing.
Andrew Ralston from Dalivaddy Farm was the overall winner on the day, winning his second ploughing match medal.
Ian McKerral from Highland Farm on Islay was the judge and said he was impressed with the ploughing on show.
Mrs Shona Barbour presented the prizes at the end of the competition. The society thanks the Barbour family for hosting the ploughing match, Ian McKerral for judging, Sue McGuire for providing the refreshments and to all competitors and helpers for making the day a success.
Islay feast, courtesy of Argyll and Bute Council.
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is hosting the visit with the support of European funding, the aim being to inform the Germans of the farming related activities on Islay including the island creamery.
“The visit will assist in raising the profile of Argyll and Bute as a source of high-quality, environmentally friendly food products and as an attractive destination for tourists,” said Mr George Harper, the council’s director of development and environmental services.
“With the council’s commitment to the island’s sustainable development company, and the range of partnership projects being developed by it, it is proposed that a contribution of £525 be made to the visit to provide the group of visitors, and those they have met during their visit, with a meal based around local produce.”
Eighteen German farmers from BadenWurtemburg are due to visit Argyll in April.
They will be touring a number of farms in and around Oban, Mull and Islay.