One of Scotland’s most breath-taking lochs is set to provide Perthshire’s rural economy with a multi-million pound economic boost.
Loch Tay is to become home to a new marina, sailing school, water sports centre and restaurant. Operators of the Taymouth Marina, which opens this week, say the project will create or support about 50 jobs.
The ambitious project incorporates 40 deep and shallow berths, sheltered by a newly-constructed breakwater extending 70 metres on to the loch.
There is also a waterfront restaurant and wine bar, led by restaurateur Javen Walker, formerly of the House of Bruar, and head chef David McKendry, who trained at Houston House, West Lothian.
Visitors and residents will also get the chance to hire boats, learn to sail and power boat and enjoy tours. Self-catering apartments and houses also form part of the development and there is scope for the site to grow further.
Taymouth Marina is the realisation of a long-held dream for Crieff owners Eric and Naomi Strickland, who are partners in architects McKenzie Strickland Associates.
Eric, who is also a sailing instructor, first learned to sail on Loch Tay as a child at the former Croft na Caber water sports centre and met Naomi, a kayaking instructor, while kayaking in the nearby River Tay 15 years ago.
He said: “When we moved to Aberfeldy in 1999 to set up the firm it struck me that Croft na Caber was not realising its potential. The location was amazing but there was so little in the way of facilities.
“It took a fair bit of time to piece the jigsaw puzzle together but we feel we have come up with something special and that the new Taymouth Marina has the potential to be a jewel in the crown of Perthshire and Scotland.”