News from Mallaig Harbour: March 2026

This month we have to start by acknowledging the sad passing of Charlie King, who died on 8th February, a few weeks short of his 84th birthday. Charlie initially joined the Board of Mallaig Harbour Authority as a representative of the Community Council in May 1984, and his first meeting was also Robert MacMillan’s first as Secretary to the Board. From the outset, he always ensured that anything done by Mallaig Harbour Authority had a wider community benefit, and at his first meeting, tenders for the Breakwater extension to the Steamer Pier were tabled – at a cost of £1.666million. The contract was awarded to Tawse, who indicated that they would bring fill material from the quarry at Bourblach. ‘Mr King commented that it would be preferable if the fill material were taken from an area which could subsequently be used to the community’s advantage.’ Ultimately, fill was taken from the site of the High School, which enabled wider benefit to the village.

In May 1985, Michael Currie was appointed as Chair, and Charlie was appointed as Vice-Chair, a position he held for 30 years, until June 2015, when he became Chair. By this time, the Board had been reconstituted, and each Board Member could only serve two, three-year terms, with a third by exception. Charlie retired from the Board in June 2021, having served for a total of 37 years. During this time the Harbour changed beyond recognition, with firstly the breakwater that now forms the ferry pier; and the creation of West Bay. This included the car park and the site Mallaig and Morar Community Centre stands on, which Charlie worked with The Highland Council, Nevis Estates and Mallaig Harbour Authority to achieve. This was followed by the linkspan for the ferry, and the Outer Harbour development, which was opened by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in July 1998. In October 1998, the second Feis na Mara was held on the Harbour. The first had been held on the site of the Community Centre in 1997 and had prompted local people to get together with the idea of building a new community centre on that site. Charlie supported the efforts to raise funds for the Community Centre, and a lease with the Harbour Authority for a period of 50 years was agreed to make the Community Centre a reality. Charlie was also involved with negotiations to bring both EWOS and MOWI to the Harbour, and to build the Marina. He Chaired the Board through the development of the Masterplan, and the Harbour Authority’s 50th Birthday in 2018. There will be other tributes in West Word which talk about his wider impact on the community, Lochaber and the Highlands. I am in the privileged position to have worked alongside Charlie throughout my whole career, from the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust in 1998 to my role at the Harbour Authority, and involvement in many voluntary groups (including Feis Na Mara) along the way. Throughout the whole time, Charlie’s was always the voice of reason, and of pragmatism. He had a way of getting people to work together, and of getting things done. As Councillors, when he and Michael Foxley set their mind on something, they were a formidable team! Despite his retiral, Charlie still kept a watchful eye on what was going on at the Harbour, berating me recently about the canopy on the High Tower Light not having been repaired! He will be sorely missed.

Around the Harbour, work is continuing on the overnight ferry berth. Some of the circular cells have been dug out, and the concrete anchor blocks installed to tie in the piling. RJ McLeod are still on track to have the works completed by the end of May, which was the original contract date, but slightly later than they had initially hoped. This is going to mean a bit of disruption from the works for the start of the summer ferry timetable.

We noted last month that there was disruption to the ferry deployment at the start of the season, and we have now been made aware that the MV Loch Bhrudsa will not return to the route until at least 16th April. CalMac are trying to source charter vessels for the route for both cars and passengers. Without charter vessels, there will be no service on the Mallaig/Armadale route from the start of the summer timetable on 27th March, until the MV Coruisk’s anticipated return on 11th April, which includes Easter. The Sound of Sleat Ferry Users’ Group has real concerns about this, and you can find out more on their Facebook page.

It often feels at the moment that there are more challenges than opportunities, and this has been the case locally, with uncertainty around both the steam train and the ferries creating difficulties for those engaged in tourism. However, I was invited to a strategy session organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the West Highland Chamber of Commerce on 19th February. Having the opportunity to engage with others from throughout the region, to try and develop a shared ‘mission’ for the area was really useful. It is always good to get a different perspective on things, and to focus on the positives for a change!

We’ve had a busy month in terms of Aquaculture around the Harbour, with an average of 20 tankers a night for salmon landings, as well as smolts being loaded through the Harbour, treatment vessels for the Loch Nevis sites, and one of Ferguson Tranport’s vessels, the ‘Leslie Anne’ loading feed alongside Inverlussa’s ‘Havilah’. With the stub berth out of action due to the overnight ferry berth works, this has meant a bit of juggling, both in terms of berths and workspace on the harbour itself.

North West Marine have had to delay their repairs to the pontoon as bad weather elsewhere has meant that they have been unable to get their vessel on site. We are still hopeful of having the repairs complete before the Marina reopens in April. We are looking for seasonal staff for the Marina, with the possibility of one of the roles becoming permanent. Look out for our adverts.

Finally, a wee reminder of the next two deadlines for community funding.

Deadline: Meeting Date:

13th March 2026 11th April 2026

15th May 2026 12th June 2026

If you are a local group looking for a small amount of funding, and have some match funds in place, then have a look at the information on our website, or email me at jacqueline@mallaigharbourauthority.com for more details.

Jacqueline McDonell