A NEW community-led mooring and pontoon has officially opened in Cairndow, with local leaders hailing the development as the first stage of an ambitious plan to transform the village into a major destination for marine and leisure tourism.
The Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon was officially opened on Saturday, July 18, following a project led by the Cairndow Mooring Association.
Located at the head of Upper Loch Fyne, the new facility is designed to improve access for boat users while supporting the area’s long-term regeneration plans.
The association hopes the pontoon will encourage more visitors to explore Cairndow and the surrounding attractions, which include Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Fyne Ales, Ardkinglas House, the Tree Shop Café and Garden Centre, and the Fyne Den Adventure Zone.
The project has been delivered by contractors Gael Force, which constructed the pontoon, and A&L Macrae, which carried out the land preparation and installation works.
The reason this specific development is so special is because it’s been community-led, as opposed to a project delivered by the local authority or council.
The regeneration project intends to harness the potential of the pontoon to deliver a boost to the local economy by attracting a range of users, including leisure boaters, paddleboarders and kayakers.
Alongside the pontoon, visitors can also make use of the upgraded Shepherds Way walking route, which links the waterfront to local businesses and attractions, all within a one to two-mile radius.
Funding for the development came from the SSE Renewables Hydro Community Fund, local community enterprise Here We Are, and community member Andrew Mickel.
The project was also supported by members of the local community, including Tuggy Delap, who donated shoreline land adjacent to the pontoon, and Alexander Miles, who donated a boat for community use.
But why hasn’t this type of development happened sooner and elsewhere in Cowal? An often-cited example lies within Norway and Sweden, countries which make efficient use of space on waterways by installing jetties and pontoons regularly.
Here in Scotland, in particular Cowal, recreational boating isn’t as much a way of life as it is for those in Scandinavian countries, as a far lower proportion of households own boats.
There’s also the issue of the ease with which coastal infrastructure can be developed, and then there’s laws surrounding land ownership, with the UK bearing a much more complex system involving bodies such as Crown Estate Scotland (for seabed rights), SEPA and Marine Scotland, to name a few.
But it’s hoped that the Cairndow pontoon will lead the way and lay a foundation for similar developments across Cowal’s waterways.
Speaking at the launch, Stephen Caira, chairman of the 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.”
Hundreds of residents and local business representatives attended the opening celebrations, which were held in warm summer sunshine.
Entertainment was provided by Pipe Major John Hunt of the Loch Fyne Pipe Band, while the official ribbon was cut by Cairndow Mooring Association treasurer Simon Bett, Councillor Gordon Blair, and local children Evan Reese White and Lexie Downs.
They were joined by Bute and Cowal Area Committee Chair Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle and Councillor Shonny Paterson, who recently joined the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Board.
Councillor Gordon Blair praised the community effort behind the project.
He said: “I extend my congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic development.
“The Loch Fyne Mooring & Pontoon is a tremendous example of teamwork and the power of collaboration, and represents an important milestone in Cairndow’s community-led growth strategy.
“This new mooring and pontoon will enhance the appeal of Cairndow, drive economic growth to the area, and boost connectivity to the many attractions around Upper Loch Fyne.
“I wish Cairndow Mooring Association, and the entire community who have worked so hard on this project, every success and much prosperity.”
The new pontoon forms the first phase of a wider vision to strengthen Cairndow’s position as a gateway to Upper Loch Fyne, with leisure and marine tourism identified as key drivers of future economic growth.
