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About Tarbert Harbour

Tarbert Harbour Mission Statement

THA operates Tarbert Harbour to contribute to Tarbert’s economic prosperity and sustainability.

About Tarbert Harbour Authority

Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Authority is a Trust Port established by Act of Parliament in 1912. It is an independent statutory body governed by its own legislation and guided by Government Code of Practice.

The governance of the Authority is undertaken by a board of eight trustees – four of whom are elected by the local community, three appointed, and the eighth member is the harbour Master/Port Manager.

The Authority is a not for profit organisation recognised as a social enterprise. Like any other self-financing business, THA is dependent on cash flow and profits for its successful operation. All surpluses are reinvested to ensure that the facilities and infrastructure are properly maintained and improved for the benefit of its users.

We work closely with the local community, supporting local events and providing benefits for its stakeholders through improving leisure facilities and amenities.

History

East Loch Tarbert has been used as a place of shelter for both fishermen and traders for over one hundred years.

In 1708 its importance was recognised by an Act of Parliament which empowered the local land owner, together with three justices of the peace nearest to Tarbert and the sheriff Principal of the shire, “to make and keep in good repair a harbour or quay at East Tarbert along with wharfs and buildings as they may be thought necessary for the anchoring of all ships and boats and for landing and laying of fish or merchandise”.

Under the provisions of this Act the landowner was granted the right to charge dues to “all persons and master of vessels using the harbour and its facilities". Such revenues thus raised were to be applied to making, amending and maintaining the said harbour and quay of East Tarbert.

The Harbour Act of 1708 required revision to take into account the changes of the previous 200 years. A petition to parliament by the then land owner (a trader merchant fisherman from Glasgow) resulted in the Tarbert Loch Fyne Harbour Order 1912 and the establishment of Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Authority. The order specified that the maintenance and regulation of Tarbert Harbour be vested with a body of trustees, not to exceed seven in number and although carrying considerable responsibility these positions were unremunerated. Provision was made for elections to be held on the second Tuesday of March every third year. The first sitting of the board of Trustees was held in April 1st 1913. This order was revised in 2007 when the Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Revision Order 2007 was enacted.The Trustees continue to be unremunerated, with all surpluses returned for the maintenance and improvement of the harbour.

Please see the side bar on the right for up to date PDF documents outlining our safety and environmental policies, as well as the Accounts, strategic plan and biographies of our Trustees.

Marina Information and Guides

Here you will find all the downloadable files, forms, maps & pontoon plans, fire safety leaflets and other safety information, legal documents and other business information relevant to Tarbert Harbour Authority, all in one place.

Meet the Team

Tarbert Harbour currently employs 8 members of staff:
Darren Mair
Port Manager / Harbour Master
Pauline Laycock
Office Manager
Gary Cairns
Assistant Harbour Master
Catherine Mair
Accounts Administrator
Shanon MacDonald
Office and Chandlery Supervisor
Beckie Turner
Harbour Assistant
Craig Gibb
Fish Quay Operative
Shona Henderson
Housekeeping & Groundwork Assistant

Board of Trustees

Tarbert Harbour Authority is committed to complying with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code

Chairman – Roger Godfrey

Roger served for 16 years in the Merchant Navy, beginning as an Apprentice and Deck Officer with a traditional Scots tramping company, Andrew Weir & Co and culminating with serving as Master on a range of Offshore vessels with Maersk UK.

Changing careers in 1988, Roger left the Merchant Navy and embarked on a new role in Business & Operational Management ashore, pursuing this for some 30 years and creating his own management consultancy business along the way.

Coinciding with Roger’s retirement in 2018 he and his wife relocated their live aboard a barge to Tarbert Harbour following a visit in 2017 and Roger joined Tarbert Harbour as a Trustee in 2020.

Deputy Chair – Carolyn MacDonald

TBC

Board Member - Darren Mair

Port Manager/Harbour Master/Trustee

On leaving Tarbert Academy Darren worked for 3 years aboard a fishing vessel from the local TT Fleet.

He then went on to spend the next 11 years working within the Oil and Gas Industry; working in the North Sea, Denmark, Norway and Hamburg.    During his time within the industry Darren supervised various projects and obtained a strong background in Health and Safety.

After 11 years of working away, Darren was keen to return to Tarbert to spend more time with his growing family and become a part of village life.  In 2019, when THA were looking to recruit a Marine Supervisor/Trainee Harbour Master, Darren was successful in securing the position.  

Over the past three years, Darren has undertaken several training courses and has also obtained a diploma in Maritime Law.  

Following the retirement of the Harbour Master in April 22, Darren took over the permanent position of Port Manager/Harbour Master/Trustee and is now looking forward to ensuring the continued growth in all aspects of the services offered by the Harbour and contributing to the deliberations of the Harbour Board.

Board Member – John Hardie

John Qualified as a chartered accountant in 1972 and has travelled extensively spending time living in South Africa and Australia. John moved to Tarbert in 1986 and became a partner in WM Duncan & Co. chartered accounts and developed the practice for the next twenty six years before retiring in 2013 after a spell as a senior partner.

After returning to Tarbert John became a partner in the ownership of the Victoria Hotel and developed a successful established business which he sold in 2004.

In 1998, with other community members, John established Tarbert Enterprise Company (TEC), a not for profit organisation.

TEC originally raised grant funding to support the Scottish Series however has since become responsible for the management of several other Tarbert Festivals.

John is now Director of TEC and Tarbert and Skipness Ltd.

Board Member – James Prentice

Raised in Tarbert, James attended Tarbert Acedemy, leaving in 2002 to attend James Watt college in Paisley.

After leaving college, he worked for Duffies Transport before taking up his position in the family business of J&C Prentice Shellfish, where he oversees the transportation section.

James is married with three children and is very much involved in the Tarbert amateur football club.

Board Member – Wilma Mackenzie

TBC

Board Member – Malcolm MacDonald

Malcolm has owned West Loch Shores since 1996, which offers self-catering lodge holidays.

Over the last 20 years he has developed it into one of Kintyre’s major accommodation providers. Earlier this year, he launched a new touring park, which is also close to the village, offering pitches and facilities for touring caravans, camper vans and campers.

Malcolm and his family are actively involved in the local community and support a number of organisations and initiatives including Tarbert Enterprise Company and most recently Tarbert’s Harbour Board.

Board Member – Carolyn MacAlpine

After growing up in Tarbert Carolyn spent a period of time in Glasgow studying Psychology and Human Resource Management at the University of Strathclyde. Following her studies Carolyn returned home to Tarbert to work for the Council where she now leads up the HR and Organisational Development function.

Carolyn chairs the local CIPD group for HR professionals in Argyll and Bute and is an ambassador for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

Carolyn is delighted to join the board of trustees and looks forward to contributing positively to future developments.

Board Member – Donnie Sinclair

TBC