An historic bid is under way to transform the River Tay into a bustling thoroughfare for water taxis and pleasure cruises.
The long-awaited plan to build a series of pontoons at Perth is aimed at boosting visitor numbers and could ultimately provide a park-and-sail link-up with Dundee’s waterfront.
The £600,000 scheme, which is spearheaded by Perth and Kinross Council, could also play a vital role in the multimillion-pound Tay Cities Deal.
The pontoons also represents the first major project to be carried out as part of the Perth City Plan, a vision of improvements for the city to rolled out over the next 20 years.
A barge and a crane is helping swing the first of three pontoons into place near Willowgate Fishery, in the shadow of the Friarton Bridge.
Work will start soon on a second site near Perth’s Ferguson Gallery.
Talks are ongoing about a possible third pontoon near Elcho Castle.
Award-winning marine moorings specialist Gael Force has been appointed to design and build the three berths.
Councillor John Kellas, the authority’s enterprise and infrastructure convener, said: “It is fantastic to see the development of the pontoons now under way.
“The River Tay is a truly fantastic natural resource which flows through the heart of the city and this is an important stage to strengthen regional tourism by linking with other planned investment in transport infrastructure, water-based sports, paths and tourist and cultural facilities and attractions, creating additional employment and training opportunities.”
Money for the project was secured through the Coastal Communities Fund – administered by the Big Lottery Fund – last year.
A council spokeswoman said: “The exciting project is the result of a collaborative partnership between the Tay and Earn Trust and Perth and Kinross Council which aims to address the lack of accessible infrastructure to the river and improve the Tay as an asset for the city and the wider region.
“The installation of the first two pontoons are expected to be completed by mid-November, this will allow them to be tested before they are removed for seasonal storage.”
She added: “Plans to operate a river service from Perth to Willowgate to Dundee are being developed, with further proposals on the tourism potential of the River Tay being explored as part of the Tay Cities Deal.”
The plan has been broadly welcomed by councillors after assurances from officials that the pontoons would be robust and able to rise and fall with the tide.
Councillor Alan Livingstone said it would provide the “must see” attraction that Perth was lacking.
