Battling the elements to upgrade Staffa’s jetty

Visitor numbers to Staffa National Nature Reserve in the Inner Hebrides have risen dramatically in recent years, and the previous access infrastructure, which was installed more than 30 years ago, required urgent improvement and repair.

We undertook a significant nine-month programme of work to reduce congestion and improve the experience of the tens of thousands of annual visitors when arriving and leaving the island.

TSL Contractors Ltd, based nearby at Craignure, Isle of Mull, carried out the work on the landing jetty while an Environmental Clerk of Works monitored the environmental and wildlife impact, and a biosecurity and breeding bird protection plan was followed.

To mitigate disruption to wildlife and the busiest time of the visitor season, the work was undertaken during the autumn, winter, and spring months. Difficult conditions over the winter meant that many scheduled working days were lost because crews could not access the island, or because extreme waves made the jetty unsafe to work on.

This phase of infrastructure upgrades is part of a complex multi-year project that will also include work to replace the staircase to the upper island and the puffin colony. All works are being undertaken with great care for nature, with special consideration for seabirds.

Clea Warner, Regional Director of the Highlands & Islands, said: ’Staffa draws visitors from around the world and is one of the country’s most beloved islands. It is also an important site for cultural and natural heritage with its wildlife, geology, and dramatic scenery.

’As a conservation charity, we’re proud to share this special place with people but it’s our responsibility to both protect the island and its nature, as well as make visitors’ experiences as enjoyable as possible. We have worked hard to minimise disruption during this project, and we thank members of the local community for their patience as this work progressed.

This is a key project in the Trust’s 10-year strategy to care for, share, and protect Scotland’s nature, beauty, and heritage for everyone to enjoy, and we hope that our work on Staffa will ensure continued access to this important National Nature Reserve for many more decades.’

The Staffa infrastructure project is supported by Argyll and Bute Council and VisitScotland through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, and by funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Earth Trust.

Will Boyd-Wallis, Operations Manager for the North West Highlands, said: ’This was an extremely challenging and ambitious project. The jetty is intertidal, so much of the work could only be carried out at low tides and in good conditions. This meant that many working days were lost over the winter, and we experienced significant delays.

’Thanks to the perseverance of the whole team, the newly improved jetty is now ready for use. It has been very well designed by Galmstrup Architects to sit alongside the stunning curved natural basalt columns around Clamshell Cave and there is now much more room for visitors getting on and off the boats.’

The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Jim Lynch, said: ’Staffa is a truly unique and beautiful island, well-known throughout the world for its cultural and geological significance. I am delighted that we have been able to help fund this vital preservation work to make it easier for more people to access this historical gem and protect it for future generations.’

Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, Laura Chow, said: ’I'm sure Postcode Lottery players will be pleased to learn they're supporting projects like this to improve accessibility to Staffa, its unique geology and wonderful wildlife. By supporting the work of the National Trust for Scotland, our players are helping to protect our natural heritage and the biodiversity of this important National Nature Reserve for the benefit of future generations.’

Staffa has been in the care of the National Trust for Scotland since 1986. It’s a world-famous National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest that sits in the centre of Loch na Keal, Isle of Mull National Scenic Area. The sea around Staffa is also a Marine Protected Area and Special Area of Conservation.