Tarbert gets a makeover

Ahead of this year's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series

Tarbert, the home of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, has received a makeover ahead of the event at the end of May.

The most significant development is the new pontoons in Tarbert Harbour. The new facilities provide an additional 90 individual finger berths and the replacement of a 100m section of old pontoon, allowing even more yachts to moor at the harbour. The development marks the first phase of an ambitious plan by the Harbour Authority to provide much needed improvements to the existing facilities. It is an investment valued at around £700,000 which is sure to pay off in terms of increasing visitors to, what is often described as, the best sailing waters in the world.

In addition, the Tarbert Village Hall has received a £640,000 facelift. The extensive refurbishment will provide first class facilities for the array of social activities planned for the bank holiday weekend. Built over 100 years ago, the Village Hall has been completely transformed over the past year with support from The National Lottery, plus numerous other Trusts and donating bodies.

Alan Macdonald, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Tarbert Harbour said: "The additional pontoons and replacement of some of the existing pontoons has come about as a result of the Harbour Authority entering into a financial agreement with the Crown Estate on a sound commercial basis. It is hoped that this partnership approach will progress in the future to allow further shoreside facilities to be provided".

In conjunction with The Crown Estate the Tarbert Harbour Authority is also investigating the viability of including other businesses within the development including launderette, café, commercial retail and office space. To this end the firms of John Renshaw (Architects) and Jura Consultants (Finance) have been appointed and a broad outline of the proposals should be available by the summer.

Event Chairman, Jeremy Glen from Clyde Cruising Club concluded: “We hope that returning competitors will notice that real improvements have been made which will make their experience even more enjoyable. There are exciting plans in place over the coming years which we hope will continue to attract competitors from the UK and beyond.”