Funding of Cromarty Harbour East Pier’s restoration gets a boost thanks to a contribution from Port of Cromarty Firth

The Port’s Community Sponsorship Programme has donated £3000 in funding towards the project, which is in its final stages of its funding programme. The works will greatly assist in the effort to promote the sustainability and resilience of the original historic harbour.

Cromarty Harbour, first constructed in 1784, is managed by a team of local volunteers, with the restoration project ran by the not-for-profit trust port. The Friends of Cromarty Harbour charity supports maintenance and care of the harbour.

Improvements to the infrastructure of Cromarty Harbour will make it better equipped to deal with the challenges of climate change and provides an opportunity to increase capacity within the harbour basin.

Colin Dickie, Chair of Cromarty Harbour Trust, said, ”We are delighted to have had strong backing from the Port of Cromarty Firth’s Community Sponsorship Programme. As we put together our funding package for the expected works on our Historic East Pier, this type of sponsorship is incredibly important to us as it demonstrates local buy-in to what we are and having been doing at Cromarty Harbour over the last seven years. Whilst there remains much to do, we are hopeful of work commencing later in the year.”

Alex Johnson, POCF Marketing and PR Manager, said: “The Port is delighted to be able add our support to this important project and the hard work that the Cromarty Harbour Trust has been doing to get to this point.

“Preserving the Historic East pier will mean that locals and visitors can enjoy it for years to come.”

The project is one of a number of organisations to benefit from funding from the Community Sponsorship Programme, which aspires to improve, safeguard and develop Cromarty Firth communities, for the benefit of the local people.

Community projects, schools or local charities based in one of the nine communities that border the Cromarty Firth are welcome to apply for support. They can do so by submitting an application form stating the project’s objectives, aspirations and the benefits to the community, along with a letter/email of support from their local Community Council.

Projects must be collaborative and meet one of five eligibility criteria:

• Skills development, employability or job creation,
• Vessel crew or passenger support,
• Environmental protection or enhancement,
• Events or projects which encourage inter-community collaboration.

Application forms are available on the Port of Cromarty Firth website or from cfpa@cfpa.co.uk.