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Sea plane winging its way to Lochaber

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A sea plane could be winging its way to Fort William bringing a welcome economic boost to the Highland town.

The berth for the plane is part of exciting plans for a marina development which would also attract yachts and other leisure craft to visit the destination and stay overnight.

Fort William Marina and Shoreline Company is holding a public consultation on Friday to reveal plans for an extension to the existing pontoons north of the west end car park and share ideas for the future of the town’s waterfront.

The £750,000 development, which would include 24 overnight berths, is being proposed to attract marine tourists to the heart of the Highlands.

The public event takes place at the Lime Tree Hotel, Achintore Road, Fort William, from 2pm to 8pm.

Sarah Kennedy, secretary of Fort William Marina and Shoreline Company Ltd, said that scenic tours company Loch Lomond Seaplanes had been to the town in the distant past, but that there were difficulties in getting passengers ashore.

The firm has indicated it would be interested in coming on a regular basis if the facilities were in place.

It currently goes to Skye and has previously visited Oban.

Mrs Kennedy said: “It would be fantastic for Fort William. It is four hours on the train to Glasgow or two-and-a-half hours by bus or car. This could get you there in less than an hour.

“We have been looking at it from the tourism side of things but a lot of business people would also see it as being very useful.”

She added: “We want to regenerate Fort William and make it an up and coming place.

“It is so sad to see empty shops. There are probably about or nine just now, at one point there were about 18.

“It is great that people are coming back into the town and we now need to generate the footfall.”

Bruno Berardelli, chairman of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, said: “I think anything that brings visitors to the town is very welcome.

“Everybody in Fort William knows that loch is an under utilized resource, I think that is a well known fact. What the pontoons are doing is opening that up.”

The next stage would be to submit a marine licence application and then secure funding.