THE PIER and slipway at Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis, has been brought into the 21st century thanks to a £5,000 grant from community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust.
The pier, which dates back to the 1950s, is still a big draw and amenity at the end of the Point peninsula, despite being used more by leisure boats than fishing boats nowadays.
Much-needed repairs to the pier have now been completed in time for the summer season with the slipway in particular getting a major revamp, with around £10,000 spent on lengthening it and easing its gradient. Previously so steep that a winch was needed, it can now be accessed by cars, making it much easier to launch and retrieve boats. Point and Sandwick Trust gave £5,000 towards the cost of improving the slipway, with the other £5,000 coming from the Scottish Landfill Tax. PST also gave £2,000 towards painting the pier and bridge walls, plus the former lighthouse store nearby.