Support for tourist ferry connecting South Kessock in Inverness with North Kessock on the Black Isle is on the rise
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RESTORATION of a ferry link between North and South Kessock as a tourist attraction has won support from organisations on both sides of the Beauly Firth.
The idea surfaced when ex-tourism executive Greg Hart, from Merkinch, said that he believes the ferry trip would bring more tourists to the area and would be good for businesses on each side.
Mr Hart came to the Ross-shire Journal to float the idea which he said would give a welcome boost to businesses and organisations and would also be a great way to see more wildlife in the area such as the dolphins in the firth or by visiting the Merkinch Nature Reserve.
Maggie Macdonald, chairwoman of the North Kessock Ticket Office Project (NKTOP) has now also voiced support, adding that the committee is an enthusiastic supporter of the idea to re-introduce the ferry, which stopped running in 1982 following the completion of the Kessock Bridge.
Ms Macdonald said: “We’re just starting to build our coastal garden, so that would be a good place for the passengers to come and relax.”
NKTOP also believes the new venture would be best operated by a charity. “It would probably be best run by some kind of charitable organisation because NKTOP is a charity and the North Kessock pier is a charity,” Ms Macdonald said.
Some people did comment online however that the project could be problematic due to a lack of parking in South Kessock.
This could cause a problem if the ferry was run only for passengers as many people would likely drive to the pier before boarding, which could cause some congestion.
The idea was also favoured by people in South Kessock, with Dell McClurg, chairwoman of the Merkinch Community Council, saying she loves the idea of re-instating the ferry.
She said: “It’s not that we haven’t already thought of it, it’s something which has been on our agenda since the ferry was closed in 1982,” she said.
“It would be brilliant, we would absolutely love it, but there are a lot of logistics to think of.”
Ms McClurg also mentioned other issues which would have to be overcome. These include the fact that the jetties at North and South Kessock, where the ferry would dock, have been sold privately.
She also said that parking may be an issue at South Kessock.
