It is expected that the entire marina will be commissioned in August, with the ‘An Cala’ community coffee shop and related shore facilities - including a public slipway - opening earlier in the summer.

The Gael Force contract will deliver a forty-berth marina with space also for smaller boats, comprising floating breakwaters, pontoons and an all-ability access walkway. Construction works will be carried out at Gael Force Group’s nearby Corpach boatyard, with assembled components being floated across to the marina site.

This phase follows on from the earlier development of a car park, public slipway and facilities building, which were completed during the last two years.

A recently-agreed funding package has enabled these final works to go ahead.

The funders are:

• Highland Council (£400,000 through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and £100,000 from the Highland Coastal Communities Fund)
• Crown Estate Scotland (£500,000 capital investment)
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£150,000)
• Mowi Scotland (£150,000 in kind - repurposed mooring equipment - and cash)

Benefits expected from the marina include:

• new direct job opportunities, as well as indirect jobs in tourism and marine businesses
• much improved access to the water environment for healthy lifestyles
• strengthening of the area’s brand as ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’
• encouraging green and low/zero carbon tourism

Donald Corbett, chair of CRC, said: ”After more than a decade of continuous effort and determination by our team of community volunteers, I am delighted to announce that we are able to proceed with the third and final phase of Corpach Marina. The brainchild of the late Dr. Su Sen, this development emerged from an earlier plan by Lochaber Small Boat Owners Association. Over the years we have enjoyed the support of many individuals and organisations, for which I’m very grateful. Now that we have the green light for the final phase, we are confident it will be a fantastic asset benefitting the people of the area in so many ways.”

Andy McKenna, chair of Thomas Telford Corpach Marina Ltd (TTCM), said: “There were many occasions when we thought this wonderful facility wouldn’t come to fruition - we were faced with huge funding challenges, a complete redesign of the facility buildings, and of course Covid. But we have come through all of that with really positive plans to contribute something big to the local community and to watersports in the area. The focus of the TTCM board is now on making this a success, a brilliant amenity that everyone can be proud of and that provides a truly excellent service to our customers.”

Stephen Offord, Gael Force Group production director, said: “We are thrilled that the team at Caol Regeneration Company have placed their confidence in us as an experienced local pontoon manufacturer in the Highlands, to support them in realising their long-held ambition for an excellent local marina facility. Our robust range of SeaHaven pontoons and breakwaters will provide a safe haven for visiting and local leisure craft alike. We now look forward to the development getting underway - our involvement in this project is a huge source of pride for Gael Force Group.”