A HIGHLAND harbour has won a prestigious national award for its £10 million rejuvenation project of its seafront promenade.
Ullapool Harbour won the Best Overall Project Award 2024 at the Scottish Civil Engineering prize-giving ceremony in Edinburgh.
The Highland town’s Shore Street and Inner Harbour Improvements project was judged the best in competition, beating out another 19 cutting-edge engineering projects from across Scotland.
Judges of the competition noted that the project was the “perfect example” of a combined village and harbour regeneration initiative, according to the Ross-shire Journal.
Kevin Peach Ullapool Harbour Trust harbourmaster and on-site project manager who reportedly planned the project more than six years ago noted his delight at the recognition the development has received.
He said: “We are delighted to accept this award on behalf of our community who immediately came on board with our vision. The formation of a volunteer steering group was instrumental in the overall design and material choice.
“Our thanks go to the designers Wallace Stone, contractors RJ Mcleod and Inland and Coastal Marine Systems. We also acknowledge our contract partners Transport Scotland and our funders Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Coastal Community Fund and Transport Scotland.
“Finally, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the board and staff of Ullapool Harbour Trust who together with the local community persevered with the job and got on board to deliver a truly transformational addition to the village.”
The project, which took just under a year to complete, was driven by the Ullapool Harbour Trust and supported by the local community.
It took the community eight years of campaigning to get the upgrade to the shorefront, with Transport Scotland agreeing to fund the widening of the A893 trunk road.
One of the main issues with Shore Street prior to the redevelopment was the road was too narrow for parking and ferry traffic.
The road, which is the shortest trunk road in Scotland, has now been widened with a bigger pavement and crossings installed throughout the street.
The pavements also feature slopes, making the shore more accessible, allowing people to go down to the beach and take in the stunning sea views.
Along with the new pavements the village enjoys a waterfront with a heightened dry-stone sea wall, Caithness slab-covered promenade and a cycle track.
