LONG-AWAITED repairs to a boating slip in Garelochhead have finally been completed – thanks to Scottish Water.

The utility company has spent almost £8,000 on repairs to the slipway on Shore Walk in the village and it has now been restored to its former glory.

Village residents’ calls for the slip to be repaired date back more than two years, after concerns were raised about the condition of the sewage treatment tank which sits next to the slipway at the head of the Gare Loch.

Scottish Water carried out work on the tank itself in the autumn of 2016, but the community council has continued to lobby since then for improvements to be carried out to the adjacent slipway, which lies on the water company’s land.

Following the completion of the slipway work earlier this month, Ruaridh MacGregor, corporate affairs manager at Scottish Water, told the Advertiser: “The community of Garelochhead were extremely understanding back in 2016 when we were there doing work on our sewage treatment facility near to the slipway.

“The ramp which is located at the head of the Gare Loch, is within Scottish Water’s titles deeds, but was in poor condition due to erosion.

“We would like to thank the community for their patience while organising the works to repair an important community resource.

“It’s great to leave a lasting legacy in the village.”

Commenting on the completion of the repairs, Watson Robinson, the convener of Garelochhead Community Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the boat ramp looking so good and progress to have been made.

“It’s great for the local community and visitors to the area and we’re sure it will be well utilised.

“We’re very grateful to Scottish Water and its contractors who carried out the work.”

Lomond North councillor and Garelochhead resident George Freeman added: “The slipway had been damaged by storms and was no longer safe to be used by the public.

“Scottish Water were most helpful in taking the community’s concerns on board and arranged the necessary Marine Scotland licence so that the slipway could be repaired.

“I am delighted to see this facility being brought back into use and would like to thank Scottish Water for their help with this project.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Watson Robinson and the members of the community council for their help and perseverance in bringing this facility back into use.”