Copland’s Dock open for business

Orkney Islands Council’s new pier at Copland’s Dock in Stromness is now available for use.

The £9.2m project, which started construction in Autumn 2012, is the third and final project in the council’s three-port strategy, along with Lyness and Hatston, aimed at supporting the growth of the marine renewables industry in the county.

James Stockan, chair of the council’s development and infrastructure committee, said: “The new pier at Copland’s Dock will contribute greatly to the future prosperity of Stromness and the town’s harbour. Our aim is for the surrounding land at Garson to be developed in a way that supports the renewables sector and Orkney’s inshore fisheries industry, as well as for a variety of other uses including public open spaces.”

The first vessel to tie up at the new pier was the C-Salvor, owned by local company Leask Marine.

Pictured on the pier are, from left, OIC Marine Services piermaster Dave Ross, pictured with the departments electric vehicle, Douglas Leask, managing director of Leask Marine, and OIC harbourmaster and head of Marine Services, Brian Archibald.

A formal opening ceremony is set to take place next month.