The Scottish marine industry is reporting an upsurge of 30% on charter bookings this year as tourists splash out on boating breaks.
Tony Bennett, director of Sail Scotland, which represents the Scottish marine industry, said: “Sailing is absolutely booming in Scotland. It’s now the second-highest earner to golf in bringing in visitors.
“The recession both locally and internationally has been benefiting the Scottish sailing industry rather than disadvantaging it. Many more British people are deciding to stay at home rather than take holidays over to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.
“Charter companies are reporting a 30% increase in customer take-up and turnover this year.
“A lot of the visitors have been attracted to Scotland by the weak pound compared to the euro, especially sailors taking their boats over from Ireland.
“Despite all the doom and gloom it’s been a win-win year for the sailing industry.”
Scotland’s marine industry is expected to enjoy a further boost this week as a new £45m marina and resort prepares to open at Portavadie, Loch Fyne, on Wednesday.
Portavadie was the infamous site of a 1970s industrial white elephant where the government invested more than £14m to build an oil rig construction yard for the North Sea only to ditch the plan before it went into action.
Now the former eyesore has been turned into an all-year-round attraction for sailors, motor-boat owners, walkers, cyclists and other out-door enthusiasts.
The latest venture is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
Bruce Marshall, an Argyll & Bute councillor, said: “I am delighted that the marina has been set up at Portavadie because it was a mess, having been abandoned in the late 1970s and left to rot.
“The marina and all the facilities have been built to a high standard. It’s an ideal set-up in the heart of Loch Fyne for boats looking to explore the area around the Firth of Clyde and through the Crinan Canal. It is also perfectly located to deal with walkers using the Cowal Way and other visitors coming to the area.
“It’s turned a blot on the landscape into a showpiece destination in one of the most beautiful areas of the country which can only be good for the local community.”
The Scottish sailing industry says it is enjoying increasing interest from an armada of English sailors enjoying cheaper berths here, particularly on the Clyde.
Robert Fleck, secretary of the Association of Scottish Yacht Charterers said: “There’s been a huge increase in people from England mooring their yachts on the Clyde recently.
“The growth has been phenomenal. New berths have been added and existing marinas have expanded. Some have spent millions of pounds adding pontoons and building offices.
“For people from the Midlands and northern England it’s as quick to come to the Clyde as it is to drive to the south coast.
“Coming to Scotland makes a lot of sense for them.”
British Waterways, which looks after 2200 miles of the UK’s canals and rivers, has proposed moving from state control into a trust to help secure its future.
It is halfway through a six-month consultation period with interested parties.
Its Scottish arm, British Waterways Scotland, manages the Forth and Clyde, Union, Monkland, Caledonian and Crinan canals.
British Waterways said becoming a trust would encourage greater community ownership of local waterways, more involvement from the voluntary sector and a wider funding base.
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