Cromarty Harbour Trust plan for public donations pillar approved by Highland Council
A donation pillar is to be installed at a centuries-old harbour to help generate funds for its repair and maintenance.
Cromarty Harbour Trust has secured planning permission to install the small donation pillar at the historically significant harbour, which dates back almost 250 years and was built by engineer John Smeaton between 1781 and 1785.
One of the remaining so-called Smeaton harbours, the trust has been working on its regeneration for the past six years.
The trust lodged plans for the donation pillar back in the spring, with the goal that it would not only help to publicise the long nautical history of the harbour, but also the work to renovate it, in the hope of encouraging visitors to donate some change to help towards its upkeep.
The pillar’s planned introduction follows several years of repair works, which have included the WWI-era Inner Admiralty Pier, the historical Mole and West Pier, as well as stabilisation works of the landward end of the outer pier, which "was at risk of collapse".
Other upgrades have included new ladders, harbour sheds and improved lighting.
When it lodged its application for the donation pillar earlier this year, the trust was also starting to look at efforts to improve the unique East Pier and carry out vital stone work and pointing, subject to review by Historic Environment Scotland.
Granting approval for the donation pillar, Highland Council planners said: “The installation will be painted marine-blue, which will be eye-catching but not visually obtrusive. The scale of the structure is small, relative to the overall size of the harbour, and its impacts upon the historic character of the site should be minimal to negligible. The installation will also be easily reversible in future, if no longer required.”
The donation pillar will be installed close to the junction between the south-west pier and Marine Terrace. It will be attached to an existing 55cm high stone pillar, and directly next to a much larger community notice-board.
