Stornoway Port

£3.5m invested into Stornoway Port towards a new linkspan for its newly constructed Deep Water Terminal. This is the Bank’s first investment in the Outer Hebrides.

Read our news release here.

About Stornoway Port

Stornoway Port is the primary port for the Outer Hebrides and one of the largest and busiest ports on the west coast, north of the Clyde. The Port is central to the economy of the island, facilitating the lifeline ferry service and supporting almost all economic activities from fishing and aquaculture, to construction, retail and the increasingly important leisure industry.

Why we invested

The new linkspan will strengthen Port operations and will be a critical piece of infrastructure for the whole of Lewis and Harris. It will enhance the capacity and resilience of existing ferry services, safeguard lifeline connectivity to the mainland for goods, passengers and supplies, and it will facilitate the potential introduction of a dedicated freight ferry to the island.

This linkspan is also key to facilitating Scottish and Southern Electricity Network’s (SSEN) Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project, which will run subsea cable from the port to the mainland, transporting renewable energy and improving energy security.

The Bank’s funding compliments several other development projects also underway at the port, including a £7.2m investment to upgrade Arnish Road. The development, led by the Port, is supported by investment from SSEN Transmission and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to provide better access to industrial and port facilities.

“The Deep Water Terminal plays a vital role in accelerating several industries and for growing the local economy. The Bank has worked closely with the Port to understand and overcome current funding challenges due to its trust port status.

“The linkspan will open up a range of new opportunities for the Port and the community, delivering lasting economic benefits for the Outer Hebrides. “

Laura Fidao

Investment Director

Key Information

Key Mission

Place

Amount Invested

£3.5m

Location

Stornoway

Key Quote

Alex Macleod, Chief Executive at Stornoway Port, said: “The Port is grateful for the Bank’s support, which will enable us to deliver this piece of critical infrastructure. The investment reinforces the Port’s role at the heart of the Outer Hebrides, ensuring it is a place where people, businesses and communities can thrive.

“Stornoway Port is fundamental to every aspect of daily life and economic activity on the islands, so strengthening its infrastructure is not just an operational upgrade, but a long-term commitment to resilience, prosperity and connectivity of our communities.”

Stornoway Port