IT'S been a busy few months at the community-run Staffin Harbour's first season, with heartening progress on a variety of fronts.
Staffin Community Trust bought the slipway, breakwater and small onshore area from Highland Council and the Scottish Ministers last year and is delighted with the strides being made, led by Staffin Harbour's first ever manager in Lachie Gillies.
Extensive construction works, an enjoyable community angling competition, boat lifting and the arrival of a popular new business with the sauna have all contributed to a hectic period at Cidhe Stafainn.
The power supply to the seven new work sheds is now tested and connected by Rob Gillies, as is the harbour office. SCT is looking forward to its tenants moving in as soon as possible. The main septic tank is fitted with just the lids to put in place and the services to all the units, including the new Harbour Facilities Building, are also now all in place.
There were some very early morning starts for Lachie and SCT's civils contractor, Eyre Plant Hire, to lay the outfall pipe which could only be carried out when the tides would allow. "The pipe has been laid for about 75% of its distance, the last 25% is scheduled for the second week in August to suit the tides again, " said Lachie. "The water pipes and boundary boxes are all fitted with just the meters and change over to the filtered water to be scheduled. The filtered water has been tested by environmental health and is good to go. The facilities building site has also been cleared by MacColl Joinery, the foundations have been laid and the blockwork has now started."
The harbour operation has also been busy with SCT's Roodberg boat lifting trailer, which can take vessels in and out of the sea, as required. This is an important service the community harbour can provide and the revenue generated goes directly into the cost of running the facility.
Lachie said: "We have lifted six vessels in and out which has included three Portree boats, one which was 42' and 10-tons, which is our limit at the moment due to the slipway width. We also have 2, possibly 3 to come in for work on the onshore hardstanding area and another 1 in for repair. We have had very positive feedback from those who have used our service.
"The Staffin Sea Sauna on the site is going well and is attracting a lot of trade and it's great to see the place so busy. Our fishing competition went really well with a great community turnout raising just over £400 towards harbour running costs. We hope to host a car boot sale in the next few weeks, details to be posted shortly."
Many thanks to all the helpers who prepared and served food at the angling contest, to the support from Sonia at Mackenzie Stores, Fiona at Staffin Stores, Allan and Jackie of the Hungry Gull and Simon of the Staffin Sea Sauna.
For a full report of the contest visit the new Staffin Harbour Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profi...
SCT is grateful for the support received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Fund, Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, Islands Programme, Maritime Fisheries Fund, Fisheries Harbours Assistance, Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund, Organic Sea Harvest, Social Enterprise Scotland and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.