Harbour those ideas

Our harbour remains broken. Rumours are abound and the repairs now run into millions depending on who you listen to.

In recent years the harbour has attracted big ideas from those in power. We might be struggling to even have a harbour but we've seen the concept of positioning of an oil rig just off the piers as a tourism attraction. It didn't happen but that hasn't stopped the flow of big thinking

We've also had the proposal for the area to be made suitable for visiting cruise ships, and in February plans to reinvent the harbour.
http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Plans-afloat-to-reinvent-Nairn-Harbour-21022017.htm

We have to wait and see if there are sufficient funds for the harbour to be fixed before we can look at any plans to improve or expand its use.

It was built when it was a viable commercial harbour for fishing. The industry is long gone from Nairn and the main benefit is that of leisure craft.

In recent decades the harbour has been inclusive with the small dinghy being welcomed as much as the large yacht. But in recent years this has changed. Highland Council started to be much more strict in measuring craft, an inch too long for a certain category and your mooring fee was bumped by several hundred pounds. Harbour dues themselves have been subject to huge rises, way in excess of inflation. 

From a distance the council creating a greater income may look positive, especially in the current financial climate, but the effect has been to push out the ordinary person with an average income. Looking at the harbour just before it was cleared for the dredging it was clear that many berths are empty despite Highland Council stating that there is a long waiting list. Something doesn't add up

We'll have to wait and see if its future is for water craft or if the current fashion for camper vans sees it turned into a car park. Money or rather lack of it might well decide