The Cumbrae Community Development Company has secured £29,500 in funding from Crown Estate Scotland to advance a masterplan for Millport marina.
Announced in April 2025, the award is part of a broader £300,000 grant shared among nine projects. The funding will help the local organisation create a business plan and pursue procurement support as it prepares a community bid to operate the marina.
The new financial backing builds on existing momentum for the Millport marina project. The proposal is a central feature of the Ayrshire Growth Deal’s Marine Tourism Programme, which has allocated £9.5 million to projects across the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran. Of that amount, £4.5 million has been allocated for the Millport marina initiative.
Support from North Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government has already enabled the completion of an initial business case.
Wallace Stone Consulting Civil Engineers has been appointed as the lead design firm for the Millport Marina project. Commissioned by the local authority, the firm will develop the project, including design work, regulatory permissions and environmental assessments.
The Millport Flood Protection Scheme’s rock armour breakwater has enabled the Cumbrae marina proposal. Community and stakeholder engagement will play a role moving forward, with consultation activities scheduled to begin soon.
Over the next two years, Wallace Stone will finalise the details of the marina, with construction expected to start in late 2027. The completed facility is slated to open in spring 2028.
The proposed marina is expected to boost marine tourism in the area, aligning with broader goals to enhance Cumbrae’s economic resilience and appeal as a visitor destination.
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