Project:	Arrochar pontoon and visitor moorings
Community Group:	Loch Long Jetty Association
Location:	Loch Long, Arrochar
Region:	Helensburgh and Lomond

Project summary

ACT Hubs supported the development of plans and funding applications for installing a floating pontoon and visitor moorings in Loch Long to improve pedestrian access on and off the water, and encourage greater use of the loch for recreation. 

Project details

Sail away

Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council proposed the project for installing a floating pontoon and visitor moorings at the Teighness slipway in Loch Long, Arrochar. They wanted to facilitate access to the water and enhance recreational use of the loch to encourage marine tourism and support local businesses with increased visitor numbers. The project was already underway but the sub-group of the Community Council who were leading the project wanted support to develop plans further and to source capital funding.

Support from ACT Hubs

The sub-group formed a registered charity - the Loch Long Jetty Association (LLJA) - to manage the project and access funding. The pontoon was granted planning permission and a marine licence which are valid for five years (from 2017) and three years (from 2018) respectively.  The group also worked with other organisations who provided advice including fundraising, marketing and marine specifics such as suitable locations.

LLJA applied for numerous small and large grants between November 2017 and September 2018. Several were successful including the publicly voted Sustaining Communities Fund from Argyll and Bute Council. This paid for the marine licence application. We helped the group with some of their funding applications. 

Overall we were able to support the pontoon project by being an independent, strategic contact able to liaise with public agencies, research topics on behalf of the group, and give time to help progress this worthwhile, volunteer-run project. Over the past year the group have committed many hours to advancing this project and have made significant gains. There is still work to be done but the group now have the knowledge, structure, public support and agency support necessary to help them succeed. 

By the end of October 2018 the group had secured enough funding to enable the installation of the pontoon to go ahead. Major sponsors include the Garfield Weston Foundation, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Charitable Trust. This is a great result and it is hoped that construction work will begin in Spring 2019.

More information 

Keep up to date with progress on the pontoon project through the Loch Long Jetty Association facebook page.