Councillors on the Kirkcaldy Area Committee have agreed to allocate £200,000 towards essential repairs needed to stabilise the cliff face at Dysart harbour.

The total cost of the vital works, which include the installation of rockfall netting to secure the slopes, is estimated to be around £450,000. A further £250,000 was previously secured at a full council meeting in February.

The £200,000 funding agreed by the committee will be drawn from various local funding streams: £50,000 from the Community Recovery Fund (leaving £67,661 for other projects), £50,000 from Area Capital (leaving £61,000), £50,000 from the Kirkcaldy Area Common Good fund (leaving £100,766 available), and £50,000 from the Kirkcaldy Settlement Trust (leaving £68,157 available).

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Councillor Ian Cameron, Convener of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, emphasised the importance of the cliff face to the local area: "Dysart cliff is integral to the whole character of the harbour, which also attracts many tourists to the area. As many will know the harbour was used for filming the Outlander series. However, the cliff face is now in danger of totally destroying the tunnel at Dysart harbour and is a risk to the public."

He further explained the significance of the tunnel: "The tunnel is used by many people walking the Coastal Path and runs through a sandstone crag to the Inner harbour. It was originally built as a rail tunnel for moving ballast stones to ships. This money means that the cliff face can be secured for future generations to enjoy."

The funding agreement by the Kirkcaldy Area Committee marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety of the public and preserving the historic Dysart harbour and its iconic cliff face.