Cruise ship passengers will have a much more comfortable landing in Fort William after a grant was awarded for new pontoons.
The Fort William Marina and Shoreline Association can install a berthing station where passengers can step ashore at the town’s west end car park this spring.
The group has received £150,000 to fund the project from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Communities Capital Fund.
The two 39ft long pontoons, which will sit side by side, are similar to pontoons already installed at Ullapool harbour.
Sarah Kennedy, secretary of the association, said:”We have been getting cruise ships, but the existing process is that the passengers have to get on the tender Souter’s Lass. They get in to that then they have to scramble up across the gangway then onto the pier.
“When our Lochaber area representatives were here during a recent cruise ship visit they witnessed disabled people having a very uncomfortable trip to get from the ship to the shore.
“We have got 100% support from the councillors to get this put in place and it will be in situ by the end of March.
“It will not just be for cruise ships but for anyone else visiting. People with yachts can use the Lochaber Yacht Club moorings and row to the pontoons.
“We are right in the heart of the Highlands so this is a great service for us to be able to provide.”
She added: “Cruise company Fred Olsen has said it will make five visits to Fort William in 2017 and one in 2016. We are hoping that P&O will also bring some of its ships to the town.
“Fort William is a great location for cruise ships, because half the passengers will go on trips to places such as Glenfinnan and Drumnadrochit to see all that Loch Ness has to offer, and half will stay in town and hopefully provide a boost to the local shops.
“We had a very successful visit in August from the Adonia, a P&O cruise ship, and it prompted our councillors to realise we need a better way of welcoming visitors ashore.”
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