Marine and land investigations have been initiated to pave the way for a significant upgrade of Kishorn Port in Wester Ross. The owner and operator, Kishorn Port Limited (KPL), has commenced the first phase of the £2.4 million project after securing a £500,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

To carry out the initial phase, KPL has engaged specialist contractors, including Wallace Stone, Red7Marine, and Causeway Geotech. This six-to-eight week drilling program will involve the use of a jack-up barge, Haven Seariser 2, and two Eijelkamp Fraste drilling rigs. The objective is to gather essential information on ground and soil conditions both on land and underwater, providing valuable insights for the site's further development potential.

The funding from HIE will contribute towards the design and tender costs, encompassing project management, environmental consultancy, marine engineering studies, and ground and seabed investigations.

Alastair Nicolson, HIE area manager for Lochaber, Skye, and Wester Ross, highlighted the significance of the Kishorn Port in the area. It already plays a vital role, offering skilled job opportunities and supporting community resilience. With the potential for expansion and the creation of more year-round quality jobs, KPL aims to attract and retain a skilled working population, ensuring the sustainability of thriving communities.

The project's design phase holds immense importance as it paves the way for a major upgrade of Kishorn Port, enabling it to harness upcoming opportunities in sectors such as ScotWind, oil and gas decommissioning, and aquaculture.

Kishorn Port Limited is a joint venture between Leiths (Scotland) and Ferguson Freight Holdings, both of which have operations at the port. The facility caters to the offshore renewables and oil and gas industries, boasting an 80-meter dry dock, an on-site quarry, and ample land for future development.

Alasdair Ferguson, Director of KPL, emphasized that the outcome of the investigations will provide much-needed certainty regarding ground conditions on land and underwater, essential for designing new pier structures. Additionally, it will determine the load-bearing capacity for further reclamation of the foreshore, crucial for storage, handling of large subsea structures, and future-proofing the port for long-term use.

The Energy Minister, Gillian Martin, lauded the progress, highlighting the potential for the North West to become a renewables powerhouse. The ongoing efforts could generate numerous high-quality jobs in the energy industries of the future, supporting Scotland's economic growth, and capitalizing on sustainable export opportunities. This move signifies a step forward in the transition towards sufficient, secure, and affordable energy for Scotland's needs.