Major strides have been made in recent months on the Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme (CFIIS), with activity advancing at both Nether Lochaber and Ardgour.

Supported by £30 million via the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal—comprising £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council—the programme will upgrade essential landside infrastructure at one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings. Construction is planned over an 18-month period, with completion expected in summer 2027.

Five months into the build, the project has entered a pivotal phase focused on major marine elements, including new slipways, an overnight berth and a breakwater.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "We are pleased with the strong progress made during the first phase of construction. As the project moves further into its marine phase, activity has naturally increased. We recognise that this brings greater visibility on site and may cause some disruption for local communities.

"We would like to thank residents and road users for their continued patience and understanding as we deliver these important improvements.

"The principal contractor, Charles Brand Group Ltd, continues to work closely with the Council's Infrastructure Project Design Unit (PDU), and we remain committed to keeping the community informed. Monthly Community Liaison Meetings are held at Ardgour Memorial Hall, providing an opportunity for residents to hear updates and ask questions."

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Nether Lochaber:

- Alignment structure installation is well under way, with six foundation piles now installed.

- Earthworks for expanded parking and marshalling areas are at an advanced stage.

- The new A82 junction is partially complete and currently operating without traffic signals to aid traffic flow.

- Rock armour is being placed along the foreshore to counter erosion.

- Dredging has restarted and will continue over the coming months.

Earlier enabling works included woodland clearance timed ahead of the bird breeding season, with protections in place for wildlife. Invasive species, including Japanese knotweed, were removed to support long-term environmental management.

Ardgour:

- The subsea bund that forms the base of the new slipway has been completed.

- Sheet piling for the slipway is in progress.

- A new foreshore retaining wall is largely finished.

- The substation base and basement walls have been constructed.

- The secondary drainage tank installation has been delivered.

Marine activity at Ardgour is now more visible, with barges and construction taking place onshore and offshore as works gather pace.

Across both sites, marine construction is a central focus. Dredging is being carried out using a barge-mounted excavator supported by a hopper barge. In line with the project's sustainability approach, dredged material is being reused within the scheme. At Ardgour, it is already being incorporated into the new slipway, cutting waste and limiting the need for imported materials.

Environmental safeguards remain paramount. Specialist Marine Mammal Observers are present during marine operations to ensure works are undertaken safely and responsibly. Archaeological investigations took place at Ardgour before works began, concentrating on an area of potential historical interest near the existing slipway; no artefacts were found, allowing construction to proceed without impacting cultural heritage. Noise and vibration are being monitored, with measures to reduce disturbance wherever possible and careful planning around tidal conditions.