Stornoway Port more than doubles yacht berths following £11 million investment
by Stornoway Port Authority 10 Apr 2021 21:44 NZST
Stornoway Port © Stornoway Port Authority
As part of the wider £11 million Newton Basin/Goat Island development, the Newton Marina will allow Stornoway to welcome more visiting yachts than ever before.
Stornoway Port Authority's latest development allows the Port to significantly increase the number of available berths for visiting leisure craft. The existing marina on Cromwell St Quay, which is overlooked by the historic Lews Castle, will be the primary marina for accommodating these additional visiting vessels.
Stornoway has gained a strong reputation for providing a first-class harbour experience due to the customer service and variety of facilities on offer. A 24/7 fuel berth, WiFi, and quayside facilities including water and electricity, toilets and showers, laundry; ensures our modern marina facilities provide an ideal spot for vessels visiting the Hebrides.
A new 100 ton Roodberg boat hoist will be commissioned this year, providing the capability to lift a wide variety of boats in and out of the water. The Newton Basin/Goat Island development will also include a marine engineering workshop which will allow maintenance on vessels up to 24m in length within covered working areas. This building is due for completion late in 2021.
The influx of yachts will provide a major boost to the local economy as more tourists than ever before are given the chance to visit the most picturesque beaches on the planet. Lewis and Harris are also famed for Harris Tweed and the 5000-year-old Callanish Stones.
Island hoppers and day sailors can take advantage of the restaurants and bars close to the harbour area, while there are supermarkets also within the vicinity of the marina - making it the perfect location to stop off and stock up.
As the main port of the Hebrides, Stornoway provides the perfect location for visitors to experience the unique Hebridean islands.
It is now easier than ever before to visit the Outer Hebrides, with the significant upgrade in the Stornoway facilities among a number of developments in nearby marinas. Visiting sailing vessels in the region can now also enjoy the new Castlebay marina in Barra, the Lochboisdale marina in South Uist, and the Lochmaddy marina in North Uist; while the area has welcomed the recent addition of Tarbert/Scalpay pontoons in Harris. As a result of these new marinas, the sailing distances between marinas in the Hebrides has been significantly reduced, ensuring a more positive sailing experience for those wishing to explore the Outer Hebrides
Alex MacLeod, Chief Executive of Stornoway Port Authority, said: "The opening of the Newton Marina marks a major milestone in our continuing development of the Harbour. The Newton Marina will allow the port to accommodate significantly more visiting vessels, all within our picturesque harbor.
"The recent increase in berths in the Outer Hebrides will allow even more people to explore and enjoy the wonders of these Atlantic Islands."
For more information, visit www.stornowayportauthority.com