Construction is set to begin next week on a £42.2 million expansion of Kishorn Port, a move aimed at positioning the facility as a key hub for floating offshore wind projects in Scotland, the Celtic Sea, and the Irish Sea.
Scheduled to start on 16 June, the project will enlarge the existing dry dock and reclaim land to create additional laydown and assembly space. The upgrades are designed to support the manufacture of concrete floating wind foundations and offer integrated services including marshalling, assembly, and storage.
“We are delighted that this development will provide the catalyst for the support and creation of employment within Wester Ross and the wider Highlands, benefiting communities across the area,” a spokesperson for Kishorn Port said.
The development is expected to create 84 jobs during the 18-month construction phase, with the potential to support up to 1,500 jobs once fully operational. The port is already receiving expressions of interest from offshore wind and decommissioning projects seeking to use the expanded facilities.
Principal contractor RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited will lead the construction, supported by Scottish firms including Wallace Stone LLP (marine civil engineering), Affric Limited (environmental consulting), and Leapmoor LLP (project management).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is contributing up to £24 million in funding. The investment was confirmed last week by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
With an on-site quarry, Kishorn Port is well positioned for the large-scale manufacture of concrete substructures, offering supply chain efficiencies for the growing offshore wind sector. The expansion aligns with Scotland’s wider goals to develop port infrastructure to support renewable energy development and economic growth in coastal regions.
