A visitor centre could be created to safeguard the future of one of the north-east’s most beautiful fishing villages.
The Port Erroll Harbour Trust have drawn up proposals to redevelop the community’s tiny port to attract tourists and become financially self-sufficient.
Under the scheme, a purpose-built heritage centre and lobster hatchery would be built to reel in enough cash to maintain the port.
Before a final decision is made on whether or not to progress with the plans, harbour officials will bring in consultants to draw up a comprehensive business case.
As part of the redevelopment project, the trust is also proposing replacing existing sheds with new storage units and a toilet and shower block for harbour users at the cost of more than £200,000.
Both elements of the initiative have now been put out to tender.
A spokesman for the trust said: “It is a basin that provides the mooring facilities for the craft used in the ongoing small inshore fishery – salmon fishing and the seasonal leisure and pleasure craft.”
He said the harbour also had a “burgeoning number” of visiting water sports enthusiasts using jet skies and kayaks.
In reference to which, he added: “An idea to construct a new heritage centre and lobster hatchery has been the subject of a phase one study which indicates there is possibly a commercial venture which may generate surpluses.
“The next step of the consultancy work is to provide the trustees with solid, robust evidence that the idea is worthy of proceeding to a project stage or not.”
In opening the project up for tender, the spokesman added that the existing sheds will be replaced with 10 individual storage units and public washrooms.
The deadline for tender submissions is the end of August and a decision on both elements of the project is expected by the end of October.
Port Erroll’s picturesque harbour dates back to 1875 when as many as 180 fishermen operated from the site.
It remains a fully operational small port run by the trust and can now accommodate 26 vessels.
