Plans have been lodged for a major revamp of a historic A-listed harbour on the Black Isle.
A local trust has applied for listed building consent for the upgrade as part of efforts to restore Cromarty Harbour to its former glory.
The £100,000 project would include the demolition and replacement of existing harbour sheds, replacing railings on the west pier, installing new electricity supply and lighting, as well as fitting new seating and information panels for visitors.
The original Cromarty Harbour was built in 1784 and a new pier was added in 1914 to aid the World War I effort.
Documents lodged by the Cromarty Harbour Trust as part of the application state: “This project of improvement works will enable Cromarty Harbour Trust to develop better facilities for the fishing vessels and crews whilst simultaneously enhancing the facility for the benefit of leisure users, the community and the considerable number of visitors attracted to Cromarty and to the immediate harbour area.”
They add: “The infrastructure of the harbour has deteriorated over the years as the income generated through its operations has been inadequate to meet the costs of implementing any but the most minor essential repairs.
“The harbour trust, through the working group, has been seeking grant aid to implement a range of improvements and the first phase will be funded in part through grants from the Fisheries Local Action Group, the trust’s own reserves, donations and fundraising activities.”
The harbour was designed by John Smeaton and built by John Gwyn between 1781 and 1784, incorporating a stone jetty, which is now the west pier, and an east pier.
It was the main harbour in the Cromarty Firth until Invergordon took much of the trade when its pier was developed four decades later.
In 1912, Winston Churchill announced plans to create a fortified naval base in the Cromarty Firth, resulting in the harbour being extended.
As well as the immediate upgrade work, the harbour trust has asked a specialist engineer to develop a strategy and implement works to repair the WWI inner pier, backed by Highland Council’s discretionary fund.
Repairs are also required to the stone work of the original Smeaton piers and harbour.
These project will be subject to talks with Historic Environment Scotland and potential funders before proceeding to the next stage.
