‘A glorious sight to behold!’ is the verdict of Inspire Inveraray with the news that work has begun on the restoration of the town’s historic pier, a feeling that’s echoed by the entire Royal Burgh.
The pier came into community ownership in July after being in private hands for 20 years and closed to the public for the last five.
DA MacDonald Contractors Ltd of Kilmory are on site and getting to work. They have started the renovation works on the stone part of the pier, the first phase of the plans to restore this landmark.
Phase 1 of the Pier Project will be completed this winter, with the pier opening in April next year.
Now that the pier has reached this milestone, the next steps for the Inveraray Pier Project include developing the everyday business of the pier, completing the building works through the winter, arranging for the grand opening and assessing the timber portion of the pier.
And that also means beginning fundraising and project management for Phase 2 of the Pier Project.
This second phase will expand access and make sure the pier is a space for everyone to enjoy by developing leisure space, benches, and fishing points, among other facilities. This includes making sure that people with mobility concerns and additional support needs can enjoy the pier as well.
Inspire Inveraray is now beginning the fundraising for Phase 2.
Linda Divers of Inspire Inveraray told The Advertiser: “We would like to thank everyone who has been so generous with their donations to get us started with the first phase; we had to raise money before we could start applying for grants. We raised £33,000 which was incredible. Without people having faith in us we would not be where we are, so thank you.”
● Inspire Inveraray; the team behind the rebirth of the pier holds its annual general meeting on November 30 at 7pm in the Nicholl Hall; open meeting, all welcome.
Vision
Inspire Inveraray’s vision for the pier is not just restoration but for the pier to play an active part in the life of the town, which is one of the west coast of Scotland’s major tourist destinations.
As well as playing a recreational role for residents, once restored the pier will be an important asset.
Businesses such as water sports, fishing, seafood shacks and boat tours could all operate from the pier.
It will create the opportunity for investment in moorings, pontoons, and slipways. Recent investments in pontoons at Oban and Campbeltown have proved to be highly successful; the leisure craft market is thriving with not just boats from British waters but across Europe.