A new mooring and pontoon facility is to open at the head of Upper Loch Fyne on Saturday (July 18).
The development is the first stage of a regeneration of the area by Cairndow Mooring Association – custodians of the plans.
As the gateway to Upper Loch Fyne, Cairndow is nestled at the top of the 40-mile-long sea loch and framed by the Arrochar Alps. Recognising the placemaking potential of the village in attracting visitors, and the appeal of the independent businesses in the surrounding area, the new mooring and pontoon will allow Cairndow Mooring Association, and its committee of local stakeholders, to capitalise on sustainable and sympathetic growth opportunities, developers said.
Leisure tourism and marine tourism are both identified as key drivers in Cairndow’s regeneration, with the area already renowned for its wide range of outdoor activities. This includes fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, wild swimming, hiking, mountain biking, trail walks, and forest bathing.
The appointed contractors for the project are Gael Force (pontoon construction) and A&L Macrae (land preparation and installation).
Augmenting the new Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon, and accessed only 150 metres away, is an upgraded safe walking route, Shepherd’s Way. Arching around the head of Upper Loch Fyne, the walkway allows locals and visitors to connect with their interests.
Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon has been funded by SSE Renewables Hydro Community Fund, Here We Are – a local community enterprise, and community member Andrew Mickel.
In the spirit of collaboration and remarkable goodwill, a group of passionate locals, each with an interest in helping to drive the success of Cairndow, have generously supported Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon. They include Tuggy Delap who has donated her shoreline land adjacent to the pontoon and Alexander Miles who has donated his boat to the community.
Stephen Caira, chairman of Cairndow Mooring Association, said, “The launch of Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon marks a proud moment for Cairndow. This is the first step in a much bigger vision for our community – providing a welcoming gateway to Loch Fyne for local residents and visitors alike. The pontoon sits at the heart of an exciting period of community-led growth in Cairndow. Together, this project will help to create a lasting opportunity for our village and put Cairndow firmly on the map as a destination on Scotland’s stunning west coast.”
