Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
The land, which was owned by local businessman Finlay Finlayson, was bought by Harland & Wolff – best known for building the Titanic – which announced earlier this week that it had called in administrators, shedding hundreds of jobs. manufacturing in Scotland faces an uncertain future.
Harland & Wolffe is now in administration (Image: PA)
The Belfast company has brought in Insolvency practitioners Teneo to act as administrators and its shares will be delisted.
At the time of the purchase, around a year ago, Harland & Wolf was led by chief executive John Wood who left in July after the company announced it was winding down “non-core” business lines.
Mr Sharman says he has carried out repairs for Mr Wood on one of his private boats.
He said: “I got a text on September 9 last year to tell me the boatyard had been sold to Harland & Wolff and I got a letter the next day saying we had to be locked up by December 4 or thereabouts that.
“It was a big shock because we were in the process of negotiating a new lease.
“They are [Harland & Wolffe]he came in and made a vague attempt to advertise for an apprentice but was never successful.”
He said he was surprised that a major company “would take an interest in a little backyard boatyard in the middle of nowhere that could only do a quarter of what they said they were going to do with it.”
He believes the site was bought for a sum of around £600,000.
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Since then he has relocated the business to Gorpach in Fort William and he says he has been able to expand but he said the business is a great loss for the area.
“The local community in Malaig is left with an empty hole in the middle of the village.
“It was a popular spot for tourists, we supported visitors to the marina. The yard staff would give back to other businesses – we all supported each other.
“I employed 11 men at the time in Malaig, we lost a few after Covid so now those boys have to travel to Fort William every day.
“My business in Malaig was solid, it was steady and we provided a reliable service to charter vessels and local fishing.
“Mallaig is the gateway to the Western Isles, it is a lifeline for local island communities.
“Ships can’t run because they’re broken down, those communities suffer – other businesses suffer.
“Harland & Wolfe has destroyed local business and the businesses we supported.”
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Another local business owner said: “It’s disgraceful what has happened here.
“The yard closed before it opened, leaving an abandoned yard in the middle of the village.
“We’ve had the worst summer ever – it’s the wettest on record.
“The[Jacobite]steam train is running so many times with such terrible weather that it has destroyed all businesses.”
Mr Finlayson said his site had been sold “with the best of intentions”.
He said: “We had high hopes for Harland & Wolff and this is disappointing.”
The Herald has contacted Mr Wood for comment.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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