2020 Achievements

December 2020

After a number of delays to commencement of works at the beginning the year, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we are delighted to be able to end the year by announcing completion of phase 1 of the project.

Phase 1 Civil Engineering and Marine works was due to start on site in early Spring but were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, eventually getting underway in July.   The car park and slipway are now complete, the works included:

• Diverting the existing burn through a 100m long culvert, 
• Dredging the basin for the new marina, and 
• Reclaiming land using the dredged material placed behind rock armour shore protection.  

Phase 2 is the construction of the new marina facilities building which started on site last week. The contract was awarded to local contractor, GCF Joiners & Contractors, and is due to be completed in Spring 2021. 

We are still working to close the funding gap for Phase 3, the construction of the breakwaters, pontoons and linkspan, having submitted an expression of interest in the Highland Coastal Communities fund and are currently investigating other potential funding sources. 

Looking forward we are excited about the local community seeing the benefits of this fantastic facility which will include:

• Collaboration with WHC UHI; Supporting students on the Adventure Tourism courses.
• 14 FTE Creation of new jobs both directly (marina and café) and indirectly as well as the social enterprise elements of the project which we hope will provide much needed vocational training and supported employment for people in the area.
• Increasing overnight visitor stays to the area leading to stimulating development and further investment
• Encouraging healthy lifestyles, by offering access to the water, outdoor marine based sports, recreation and activities, with 3 primary schools within walking distance
• Creating a focal point for the community (no café/coffee shop in Corpach), encouraging more walking and cycling by providing a destination to visit.

As we enter 2021, we look forward to welcoming you to the Thomas Telford Corpach Marina this year!

8 August

George Leslie Ltd making great progress on Thomas Telford Corpach Marina. Starting to form the slipway and more precast units now in place. Dredging barge scheduled to be in place next week.

Aerial Photo: DigitalStudio, Fort William, 8 Aug, 2020

July 27th

Kate Forbes MSP, Finance Secretary,  visits Fort William’s marina under construction at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal.

Kate Forbes joined directors of Caol Regeneration Company, Cllr Ben Thomson and contractors to take a look at progress on the marina at Corpach. The contractor is currently installing the concrete culvert into the site. The car park will be built on top of this huge drainage container.

With final funding in place by the end of September the marina could be open for business in April 2021.
Photo: Iain Ferguson

July 2020 ~ AT LAST!

George Leslie Ltd gets started on Phase 1 of the marina project.

Work began on the Thomas Telford Corpach Marina as June came to an end, and a new and exciting civil engineering project got off the ground after extensive delays and set-backs – including COVID-19.

Directors of CRC, Thomas Telford Corpach Marina Ltd, and project consultants NorthernLight Ltd are delighted to see machines and men on the beach at Corpach preparing the ground for a new car park and slipway as Phase 1 begins. The photo opposite was taken just after low-water on Thursday 9 July.

Watch this space as the project progresses along its 19 week schedule of works.

May 2020

Just as we were excited about getting the project started Corona Virus impacted on the UK. We expect that as soon as the lockdown is relaxed, and construction in the UK can restart, our contractor will get mobilised in June. Our schedule is that Phase 1 and 2 will be completed by December 2020 or early 2021.

February 2020

After a very long 2019, Caol Regeneration Company are delighted to announce the award of a £1.48M contract to George Leslie Ltd for the construction of Phase 1 of Thomas Telford Corpach Marina on Loch Linnhe, Fort William.
Download our Press Release for full details.