This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Transport links join up on west coast
23/08/2006
Two new piers at Canna and Inverie are to be officially opened today, completing the final phase of a £30 million investment in transport links to the Small Isles and Knoydart.
The new piers, costing a total of £10.12 million, follow earlier stages of the project when Muck, Rum and Eigg were upgraded to allow vehicle access to the islands.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"A new pier for an island or coastal community is as important as a new bus route or rail station for a large town. This vital investment in facilities, for islanders in Canna, and the Inverie area, is what governments, local and national, are for.
"These new piers will secure lifeline services and improve transport links, developing and encouraging prosperity throughout the West Highlands.
"I am sure the residents of Canna and Inverie will be joined today by their neighbours in Eigg, Rum and Muck to enjoy this special day."
The Small Isles and Inverie Ferry scheme includes the provision of a purpose-built ro-ro ferry, MV Lochnevis, which can carry 190 passengers and 16 vehicles.
Although Canna in the past has been accessible by CalMac ferries, it is only now that these new pier facilities are complete that the island can be fully accessible by vehicles providing essential supplies.
The Canna project has been supported by the Executive's Piers and Harbours Grants programme, Highland Council, the Highlands and Islands Transitional Programme, and the National Trust for Scotland (which owns the island) at a total cost of £3.62 million.
Inverie's former pier was in extremely poor condition, did not provide any vehicle access and access was restricted to tidal and weather conditions, making access to Knoydart particularly difficult and unreliable.
The Inverie project has been supported by the Executive's Piers and Harbours Grants programme, Highland Council, the Highlands and Islands Transitional Programme at a cost of £6.5 million.
Knoydart relies heavily on tourism, with around 6,000 visitors a year.