Recommendation of Council run harbours to tourist boats

A forum on the Yachting and Boating World website has highlighted the positive role Highland Council plays in attracting leisure boats to the area. A member of the on-line yachting magazine is praising the Council after completing and enjoyable tour around the waters of the West Highlands.

Giving a recommendation for the visitor pontoons at Kyle of Lochalsh, Kyleakin, Gairloch, Lochinver and Kinlochbervie, the author also highly praised the Highland Council's harbour staff who he found to be helpful and accommodating and he appreciated the accurate up-to-date weather information they were able to provide.

The author also found the moorings to offer good value for money compared with other areas of Scotland and was impressed that a discounted two week pass was also available.

The Highland Council's Chairman of TEC Services, Cllr John Laing said: "This excellent recommendation is just what we need to promote our harbours and coast line as tourist destinations for small yachts and cruise boats. To be able to enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife from the water is a great way to travel and an area of tourism which we want to see expand in the years to come. For people to hear word and mouth from others who have had a good experience is a great endorsement. Our harbour staff all work hard to ensure every visitor receives a top class service so we want the word to spread that a boating trip to the Highlands makes an excellent holiday."

Earlier this month members of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee agreed funding of £100,000 over the next three years for the Sail West project to expand the marine tourism industry between the west of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. This will see new infrastructure and ancillary harbour services provided at Mallaig and Lochaline and project development work carried out for Kinlochleven, Inverie and the Small Isles.

Details of the facilities available at Council run harbours can be found by visiting The Highland Council website

www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/roadsandtransport/harbours/