26 September 2008

FAIR ISLE is to get £25,000 worth of improvements to its North Haven harbour as well as new access facilities to cope with increasing numbers of visiting yachts and cruise ships.

The cruise liner trade makes an important contribution to the small island’s economy, Shetland Islands Council’s harbour board heard yesterday (Thursday).

Overt the last years, Fair Isles has attracted a number of visits from smaller cruise liners visiting the smaller and less accessible islands of Scotland.

Members gave the go ahead for a much needed light beacon to help navigate the harbour (£15,000) and to spend £10,000 for a water depth survey.

Steps and a handrail are also due to be installed on the pier at North Haven to allow visitors to safely access the small island.

At present, visitors have to be taken from their ships to an old slipway on the south beach meaning they have to walk up the often slippery concrete and rocky beach.