figures from VisitScotland golf atracts an estimated £300 million a year to the national economy, closely followed by sailing and boating which brings in around £275 million. Walking is said to be worth £240 million, mountaineering around £104 million and mountain biking £35 million.

Owners Portavadie Estates Ltd, part of the Loch Lomond Distillers Group, spent around £18 million on the first phase of the development, including the marina, restaurant, accommodation and luxury facilities.

The 12 metre deep lagoon, which is just one and a half hours from Glasgow by road and is situated directly east across Loch Fyne from the village of Tarbert, provides fully serviced berths for almost any size of leisure craſt. There are also a variety of shore side benefits, including luxurious showers and toilets, a launderete, drying room and a number of self-catering family apartments and cotages for between two and eight persons.

cotages and the finest Scotish cuisine in loch-side restaurants and bars.

A range of activities are available including: mountain biking, walking, sailing, rib rides, kayaking or simply siting and soaking up the scenery.

The first phase of the 230-berth, deepwater, state-of-the-art Portavadie Marina complex and resort was officially opened by Jim Mather, former Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, in 2009 to make the most of a boom in sailing throughout Scotland.

Marine leisure activities are now second only to golf in atracting revenue from tourism. According to

The marina’s quality bar and restaurant, winner of the Benromach Nautical Restaurant and Bar of the Year 2009 at the Scotish Licensed Trade Awards, provides a wide menu of high quality delicacies, including Loch Fyne seafood, locally shot game and produce.

“We have tried to create something special, a landmark building which has more of a Mediterranean feel to it rather than a traditional British marina.”

:Iain Jurgensen, general manager.

The 100 acres marine resort is situated among some of the most picturesque scenery in the world and great care has been taken to preserve and enhance the environment.

The new facilities at the resort, which is already a gold star member of Green Tourism, have built using glass, steel, stone and neutral tones, with the environment in mind it is all powered by a woodchip biomass generator.

“Portavadie is unlike any other marina, not just on the Clyde coast but throughout Britain,” said Brian Stewart of Stewart Associates, architects for the project.

“We have tried to create something special, a landmark

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August 2015