Aros Waterfront Development

With support from the Scottish Land Fund, Tobermory Harbour Association (THA) purchased the Aros Waterfront site in August 2019, with the view to developing the site on behalf of the local community. The waterfront site bordering Tobermory Bay comprises of an old pier and slipway as well as a strip of forestry land and two disused and deteriorating buildings, one the former Estate sawmill and the other the original boathouse. THA have plans to transform this site into an outdoor activity hub, creating an anchor for wider park activities and safe access points for water sport activities within Tobermory bay.

The Aros waterfront site sits within Aros park which is an attractive area of forest land and the main outdoor recreation space for Tobermory and the wider Isle of Mull. It is owned and managed by Forestry & Land Scotland.  The park is a highly valued community resource, used by both local residents and visitors to the island; its trails through attractive woodlands, popular walking, cycling, and running routes, woodland play trails for children, loch fishing and picturesque waterfalls among its finest attractions. Located just 1.5 miles from the main town (population 1,000) and Harbour which attracts over 45,000 marine visitors annually, the park is also accessible to the 400,000 tourists who visit the island each year and 3,000 island residents.

The Aros waterfront development is a long-term multi-phase project with an overarching objective to create a hub for community well-being, outdoor activities, and educational opportunities, as well as opportunities for new enterprises and sustainable outdoor tourism experiences.

Stage 1 of the Development

  • Safety repairs to the pier, pulling back rock to make a safe and attractive viewing point towards Tobermory.
  • Installation of a new pontoon to allow small boats to land safely.
  • Introduction of an electric water taxi to cut the number of cars driving to the park and allow access to non-car drivers.
  • New slipway for launching kayaks, paddleboards, sailing dinghy’s and provide wild swimmers a safe entry and exit point to the water.
  • Accessible walkways to allow wheelchair users access to the site for the first time.
  • Redeveloping the boathouse building into an outdoor activity hub – which will include training room/meeting space, café kiosk, showers, toilets, dry storage. Attracting a variety of users and creating micro business opportunities.
  • Creation of outdoor storage; provide compounds for commercial let & community storage space including local sailing club, sailing cadets and kayak club.

All funding for this project has now been secured and plans for the stage 1 development are now with statutory bodies for permissions/licences.

Any questions on this project can be directed to Anne Fraser, project manager;  Anne.Fraser@tobermoryharbour.co.uk or fill in the feedback form.