BLUEMOMENT

Raasay's new ferry terminal at Churchton Bay has been officially opened within, errm, the last few days. Work started on the new terminal over two years ago, and was projected to cost some £12m.

The skipper of a visiting boat said, "This is an impressive pier, about 200 metres long, with a brand new waiting room. Apparently the concrete blocks were made at Kishorn and then assembled in situ. it is a real tribute to Balfour Beattie and Scottish civil engineering. The 200 or so residents must be justly proud."

As with the surprise sneak preview of the new lavvies at Tobermory, Bluemoment's investigative journalists made a pre-opening inspection of the pier. Our correspondent said, "Yes, it looks pretty solid. My only suggestion for improvement would be to place rings for dinghies above the steps, rather than just below them, as they are at present. Also, a handrail at the steps would be useful as weed has already formed on the steps covered by the tides."

However it is not clear whether such ambitious plans could be achieved within the limits of fiscal prudence.



Interestingly, the outer end of the pier extends well beyond the Perch Rocks, most of which now lie under concrete, and looks like having a least depth of over 5m. However it is not clear whether this has been designed for visiting luxury liners, or, perhaps, Yeoman's bulk carriers. The battered metal perch marking the Perch Rocks is still in place.



Inside the harbour, there is a useful tidal gauge, as well lots of things to tie on to, ladders, and life buoys. A bearded singlehanded sailor commented , "Yes, this is a harbour that I wouldn't mind dropping into some time."



More here - BBC report.

QUOTE Inside the harbour, there is a useful tidal gauge, as well lots of things to tie on to, ladders, and life buoys. A bearded singlehanded sailor commented , "Yes, this is a harbour that I wouldn't mind dropping into some time." QUOTE

Presumably with no handrail and weed already growing on the steps, he might be dropping into it sooner than he thought?

Are the visitors moorings still there?
If so, it may be a lot more pleasant now that the construction mess should all be gone.

The four visitor moorings are still there, and, although we didn't try it, there should still be sufficient space to anchor in the harbour area without getting in the way of the ferry. We visited a week before the ferry started operating there, so cannot be absolutely certain, but there seems to be plenty of space.

They don't get a mention in Welcome Anchorages 2010, I wonder if they're paying their taxes...