Pete Bevington

27 April, 2009

ISLANDERS on Unst spent the weekend celebrating the opening of their new £3.3 million pier at Uyeasound, which they hope will secure existing jobs and create a few new ones on this fragile island.

Uyeasound Waterfront Trust chairman George Jamieson said the occasion marked the end of a “nine year and fifteen day” struggle to replace the dilapidated pier at Unst’s most southerly village.

Unst folk used to joke that the Uyeasound pier was only accessible from the landward side, but with the construction of the 100 metre berthing facility that has changed, he said.

Two salmon businesses employing around 30 people between them, the multinational Lakeland Unst and the family owned Uyeasound Salmon Company, will now have facilities they can use all year round night and day.

The Uyeasound Salmon Company has shown how much the development means to them by applying for planning permission to build an operating centre at the new industrial site created next to the new pier.

The Hunter family, who own uninhabited Uyea Isle, will be using the pier to transport sheep, cattle and ponies on and off for grazing, and local men David Niven and Terry Priest intend to use it develop their mussel operation.

Mr Jamieson led the ten-strong waterfront trust in their campaign to provide a safe berth for at least five local fish farm boats, that previously had to anchor all year round in the shallow Uyeasound bay.

“It was a tremendous team effort. I have captained many teams over the years, but this was definitely one of the best,” said the retired headmaster.

The trust are thinking ahead as to whether there is any scope to build enough armouring to create a marina there too, but on Saturday afternoon they were concentrating on celebrating.

“It was a very big day for Uyeasound and the whole island at a time when there has been a downturn in job opportunities.

“This should mean the aquaculture industry can now work in all states of tide and all times of day.”