Oban’s £2.5million publicly-funded pontoon development has opened just in time for the busiest sailing event in the town’s calendar.
Boats from the West Highland Yachting Week fleet were arriving in town yesterday.
Argyll and Bute Council, which is behind the project, was criticised at the weekend for not having the pontoons completed in time for the event.
Last week a council spokesman said the transit berthing facility was not due to open until “later this summer”.
Yachts had already been spotted using the pontoons free of charge and against the authority’s advice.
And yesterday the council announced that they were able to open them earlier than expected.
Lead Councillor for Oban Lorn and the Isles, Elaine Robertson, said: “This project will complement Oban’s existing marine facilities and will bring new customers for other local facilities, industries and retailers.
“It had been expected that the pontoons would open later in the summer, but thanks to the hard work of contractors GSS of Roseneath, North West Marine of Mull and Oban, Laffertys of Oban and Gaelforce the facility is open for business in July. This has been an outstanding demonstration of the quality of our home based contractors in Argyll.
This season the facility will be operated by the council in partnership with Bid4Oban.
Work on the associated maritime visitor facility, costing £1.6million, is scheduled to be completed later this year.
Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “This is a landmark day for Oban and for the whole west coast tourism industry.
“The substantial investment in these first class facilities will attract new people and businesses and bring economic benefits to the town and the surrounding area for years to come.”
