Lib Dems call for enterprise agency to get behind Portree harbour revamp - MacRae

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Sep 2009

On a visit to Portree yesterday with Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott, local Lib Dem Holyrood candidate Alan MacRae called for Highlands & Islands Enterprise to support the Portree Area Community Company's plans to expand and revamp the village's harbour.

Mr Scott made the visit at the invitation of local prospective Lib Dem Holyrood candidate Alan MacRae and MSP John Farquhar Munro. After a presentation and tour of the harbour area with members of the Community Company, Mr Scott said:

"The potential of these plans is clear. They would ensure Portree's place as a major destination for large cruise liners and for visiting yachts, but also allow the old harbour to be enhanced as an asset to the village as a whole.

"The benefits would not just extend to Skye, but right across Lochalsh and the wider region too, by enhancing the facilities on offer to a vital and lucrative section of our tourism sector which relies on having a good range of high quality destinations in the area."

Lib Dem prospective Holyrood candidate Alan MacRae said:

"Highlands & Islands Enterprise should be actively engaged in helping to make the regeneration of Portree harbour a reality.

"When economic recovery comes, we need to make sure that investment and new jobs are attracted to the West Highlands and the islands, as well as to areas where there is already massive development pressure like the A96 corridor.

"Portree has great strength as an exceptional natural harbour, close to a range of world class attractions. HIE should be helping the Community Company to build on the strong foundations which it has laid, so that a phased plan can be used to attract funding.

"The Scottish Government has simultaneously slashed HIE's budget, and left it to fund the lion's share of key policies like the future university of the Highlands & Islands. The real damage will come if transformational projects like Portree Harbour are now able to receive minimal and lukewarm support."

John Farquhar Munro MSP added:

"The community company is in place, and anxious to move forward. I am pleased that Tavish Scott came to see what is possible, and to share his experience from involvement in Shetland's harbours.

"He, Alan MacRae and I will work to make sure both HIE and Scottish Ministers see the potential too, and enable it to make progress."

ENDS