NEWS

Hotel attracts new business following installation of lochside pontoon

A leading West Highland hotel has been being enjoying an upsurge in business following the installation of a lochside pontoon to attract visiting yachts and other pleasure craft.

The Letterfinlay Lodge Hotel on the banks of Loch Lochy near Spean Bridge is using the new pontoon as a stopover point for craft passing through the Caledonian Canal.

Manufactured by Oban based Fusion Marine, the 24m long pontoon is made from environmentally friendly recycled plastic and tough polyethylene.

According to Ian Smith of the Letterfinlay Hotel, the pontoon has the capacity to handle several vessels at a time and has proved a real boon in attracting new customers to the hotel.

“Just two hours after it had been installed we had a 10-berth cruiser come alongside with the crew coming into the hotel to enjoy refreshments and fine dining,” he says.

“We’ve had many more vessels since then – and it has only been in use for a couple of weeks! This pontoon is only the first stage of our plans to provide a convenient stopover point for vessels using the Caledonian Canal and we are now looking to build a 48-berth marina.”

A major attraction in this design of pontoon developed by Fusion Marine is its versatility. They can easily be dismantled and stored during the winter, and they are also good at coping with rough weather, being able to flex with the motion of the waves.

“These pontoons are perfect for the landing of small and medium-sized vessels,” states Iain Forbes of Fusion Marine.

“Their tough construction keeps maintenance costs down. They also offer excellent stability and can be adapted for a wide variety of situations.”