A HISTORIC Scottish harbour featured in Outlander is facing closure without thousands of pounds of repairs, a group has claimed.
Dysart Harbour in Kirkcaldy is suffering from erosion after being hit by recent storms. It has a collapsed pier, a damaged slipway and a rockfall at adjacent cliffs.
The 19th century harbour was transformed into L’Harve for the second season of Outlander, with fans of the show continuing to flock to see the port.
Dysart Sailing Club – which leases the harbour from Fife Council – has issued a call for donations to save it for future generations.
The club’s 130 members have called on the council to step in to help and have appealed to the public for donations, as the current maintenance of the harbour relies entirely on volunteers.
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The club’s commodore – or president – Martin Johncock told The Courier: “The big problem is the harbour is Category-B listed so everything must be done in conjunction with Historic Scotland.
“It’s deteriorating through age and we get very little assistance from Fife Council.”
Earlier this year, Dysart Sailing Club carried out significant repairs to a collapsed pier, as well as spending £1000 on repairs to the slipway and a further £15,000 on digging out silt.
“We’ve just authorised spending half the club funds on a digger to keep it clear,” Johncock said.
“It’s your harbour, not just ours. But if we don’t do it, the harbour closes, it’s as simple as that.
Fife Council service manager Michael Anderson said the local authority carries out annual harbour inspections and passes information onto the sailing club.
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“We do help with maintenance repairs where we can, as well as offering advice and assistance in the ongoing upkeep,” he added.
“The cliff faces around the harbour are regularly inspected and maintenance work has been undertaken in the past.”
Repair options for the west edge cliff are being looked at but are subject to available funding.
Anderson said: “We will continue to support the club in the upkeep of the historic harbour.
“And should any concerns emerge regarding the integrity of the harbour, Fife Council would take the necessary steps to ensure public safety.”
The sailing club has set up a GoFundMe page for donations.
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