The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Improved harbour can be ‘west coast gateway’
Outer breakwater would allow future expansion at Mallaig
Plans have been unveiled for a revamp at Mallaig Harbour to try to turn the port into the gateway to the west coast of Scotland.
MallaigHarbourAuthority (MHA) is looking to hire consultants to produce a development masterplan for the harbour.
In Highland Council’s West Highlands and Islands Development Plan, RobertMacMillan, the harbour authority’s chief executive officer, states that Mallaig urgently requires an outer breakwater to enable future expansion.
He says that extra car parking is also needed, and writes: “The authority’s aim is for Mallaig harbour to be known and recognised as the gateway access to marine activity on the west cost of Scotland.”
MrMacMillan said: “The board of the Mallaig Harbour Authority, eager that a new forward-looking strategy be adopted by the authority, is keen to develop Mallaig harbour to meet the needs of both current and emerging industries.
“In partnership with Nevis Estate, the Highland Council andHighlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) we intend to produce a development masterplan with a time horizon of 10plus years.
“We hope to publish the masterplan in the summer of 2016.”
MHA is a social enterprise and client of HIE. Scott Dingwall, HIE’s head of regional development for Skye, Lochaber and Wester Ross, said: “Mallaig harbour has considerable potential to contribute to the future economic growth of the area by serving the needs of current and emerging markets.
“We recognise the ambitions thatMallaig Harbour Authority has and look forwardto supportingthemin realising those ambitions.”
The proposals have been outlined in a notice on the Public Contracts Scotland website. The deadline for consultants to get in touch is December 7.
“The harbour has considerable potential”