A major stabilisation project at Rothesay Harbour has been completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

The £1.9 million project, undertaken by Shearwater Marine Services, was originally estimated to finish in February 2025 but will now conclude this Friday, December 20th.

The works involved constructing a new toe wall to stabilise the harbour structure and repairing damaged areas of the pier. Local quarry Ambrisbeg supplied concrete and resurfaced the pier deck and linkspan access road.

The project aimed to strengthen the harbour to accommodate larger, more powerful vessels. Nighttime work and careful planning allowed the project to progress smoothly, even during adverse weather conditions and significant disruptions.

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The project team also engaged with local schools, providing educational presentations and demonstrations to students. Additionally, divers working on the project recovered historical timbers from the original pier structure, which will be recycled for local use.

Councillor Ross Moreland, chair of the Harbour Board, said: "Rothesay Harbour plays an enormous part in the daily lives of Bute residents, the local economy and the tourism industry. This work helps to secure its future for years to come, protecting its structural integrity and enabling it to accept vessels beyond its original capacity.

"Our thanks to Bute residents for their patience, to our contractors for delivering a complex programme on time, and to CalMac for working closely with us throughout the process."