Achi news desk-
The official ribbon cutting ceremony attracted a large crowd to the B-listed pier, with the Mid Argyll Pipe Band performing.
Originally built in 1762, the pier was an important hub for the fishing and boating needs of the lake community but had fallen into disrepair, making it unsafe and therefore closed to the public. since 2014.
The local community wanted the former asset to be restored and reopened once again, with the ambition of improving access to and from the lake, reconnecting neighboring communities, and re-establishing fishing, diving, promenades, boat trips and other water sports facilities on the lake.
READ MORE: Historic double arch bridge near Inveraray to undergo urgent repairs
Inspire Inveraray, together with Inveraray Community Council and the local community, pool resources to develop a fundraising plan and apply for funds to purchase the Pier so that it can return to community ownership, and in time, be restored to safety and open to the public. .
With the support of renewable energy developer Ridge Clean Energy, Inspire Inveraray and its supporters worked together to raise over £244,000, enabling the community to purchase the pier and begin essential restoration work in July 2023.
Linda Divers, Director of Inspire Inveraray and Chair of Inveraray Community Council, said: “We are delighted to announce that the historic Inveraray Pier is now open to the public once again. We know how much joy it will bring to our town, our residents and our visitors.
“The purchase and restoration of the Pier was a joint effort and today’s celebration is a testament to how much we can achieve if communities, councils and local businesses come together, listen to each other and work together for the good of all.”
“Inspire Inveraray and Inveraray Community Council would like to thank Geaspar and Kelly Byrne, the previous owners of the Pier, who provided the opportunity to bring the Pier back into community ownership, and Robin Campbell Music for their contributions. We also want to thank Ridge Clean Energy for all the help in obtaining grants, giving us the confidence to apply for them and believing in us, knowing that we can make the dream of an open and accessible pier come true.”
Daniela Jenkins BEM, Community Partnership Manager for Ridge Clean Energy Ltd said: “We are proud to have been part of the momentous occasion of the reopening of the pier and particularly proud to be able to come together and celebrate with the community local.
“The Ridge Clean Energy team are so proud to have been able to support Inspire Inveraray and the community to make this project a reality, to purchase and restore the pier to be enjoyed once again by local people and visitors to the town.”
