Work on the second phase of a Lochaber marine leisure business to improve facilities has started with completion due at the start of the 2009 season.

Arisaig Marine Ltd is developing a new harbour office with a waiting area, wildlife interpretation displays and information about the Small Isles in addition to new shower and laundry facilities for visiting yacht owners and a small chandlery/gift shop.

The company offers a number of services including moorings for yachts, boat cruises to the Small Isles, private charters and boat refurbishments and repairs. The summer cruises on their boat MV Sheerwater provide an essential ferry service to the residents of the Small Isles.

The first phase of the project has recently been completed, consisting of a new workshop and small slipway. Funding of £42,000 has been awarded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to allow the remote area to benefit from economic growth and enhance visitor experience to the area creating an inviting start to a cruise to the Small Isles. This follows a building grant awarded to the company last year towards the first phase of the project.

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Helen Cameron, development manager at HIE, said that they are delighted to support the development. She said: "This project will provide the quality and range of facilities yacht owners expect nowadays. It will also modernise and improve the efficiency of an established business in a remote area of Lochaber and enable them to take advantage of the growing niche market of marine leisure tourism."

Established over 30 years ago by Murdo Grant, Arisaig Marine has been running for the last five years by his daughter, Susan Grant and fellow director, Graham MacLellan.

Ms Grant said that they would have been unable to progress their development plans had it not been for HIE's assistance. "This project is part of a series of improvements we have been undertaking over the last few months and we are very excited about it. We feel leisure boating is a growing pastime and want to be ready to meet demand, as over the last few years our business has steadily increased.

"Our present buildings were nearing the end of their life and were in drastic need of replacing. The new development is vital to our sustainability as it will help draw in new yachts and retain existing ones, as these facilities are not readily available on the North West coast."

(GK/JM)