Councillors praise Buckie harbour investment plans

BUCKIE could soon benefit from a £140,000 investment to provide an ice plant and fuel tank at its harbour.

Moray councillors praised the idea as a “huge step forward” for Buckie and approved the plans, which will only go ahead if 75 per cent of the costs are funded by a grant.

The improvements would give 24/7 access to fuel for commercial vessels, with the installation of a new fuel tank on a pier. It would be suitable for a wide range of vessels, including commercial fishing boats, offshore wind crew transfer vessels, inshore creel boats and Moray Council’s dredger.

The installation of a new, fully-automatic ice plant, replacing the previous one which was demolished over 10 years ago, will allow for an improved offering to fishing fleets operating in the Moray Firth, North Sea and beyond, as vessels in the harbour will be able to load ice directly into their holds 24/7.

Convener of Moray Council, Cllr James Allan, said that once installed it would make Buckie ‘more attractive’ as local and new vessels would visit the harbour to take advantage of the new facilities.

He said: “I know that this investment in Buckie harbour will be welcomed both locally and further afield. Given the financial restraints the council is currently under, this project can only go ahead if we manage to secure grant funding, however council officers are working hard to ensure we attract funding for these significant improvements to the harbour infrastructure.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.