Crown Estate Scotland, supported by our managing agents Strutt & Parker, would like to share an update with the Portgordon community on recent harbour works and the build-up of shingle.
Why is there so much shingle in the harbour?
Over the past winter (2024/25), prolonged northerly and north-easterly winds, high tides, and heavy wave action have carried large amounts of shingle along the Moray coast. At Portgordon this has built up against the inner spur and east pier, and has now blocked the entrance to the inner harbour.
This is a naturally occurring process and is not the result of repair works carried out at the harbour. Shingle movement and accumulation happens all along the coast and has been noted by the Local Authority in other locations.
What works were carried out?
Between 2023 and 2024, a programme of essential health and safety works were completed at Portgordon Harbour. These were based on engineering and safety reports and delivered by specialist marine contractors.
Key works included:
- Strengthening and repairs to parts of the structure to make sure the harbour remains safe for public access.
- Filling of the old sluice tunnel, which had already been blocked with debris, to strengthen the breakwater wall and remove a hazard where water could jet through during storms.
During these works, small amounts of existing shingle were used temporarily to reach repair areas, but this was quickly washed away by the tide. Professional advice confirms these works are not the cause of the large amounts of shingle now in the harbour.
Is the shingle a safety concern?
- Independent engineers have confirmed that:
- The shingle does not pose a health and safety risk.
- The harbour walls can cope with the extra weight of shingle pressing against them.
We will continue to monitor the harbour and ensure the East Pier walkway remains accessible.
Why can’t the shingle just be removed?
In the past, local residents sometimes cleared shingle from the harbour. This is no longer possible without a Marine Licence from Marine Scotland, the national body that regulates activities in Scotland’s seas.
- An emergency licence request was explored but not supported, as Marine Scotland does not view shingle removal to maintain access as essential.
- A full licence is a detailed and expensive process and licences last for a set period with set limits on how much material can be removed.
- Because professional advice indicates that shingle is expected to re-accumulate quite quickly, Crown Estate Scotland has paused pursuing a licence until the wider feasibility work on the harbour’s future is complete.
- Should the community opt for a new long-term harbour use, any required shingle removal or dredging would be
considered at that stage as part of a comprehensive project.
Looking Ahead
We recognise how important the harbour is to Portgordon. Crown Estate Scotland and Strutt & Parker are committed to working in partnership with the Portgordon Community Trust and other stakeholders to plan for its long-term future.
In the meantime, we will continue to:
- Monitor the safety of the harbour structures.
- Remove shingle from the East Pier walkway where needed.
- Work with the Portgordon Community Trust and other local partners on the wider feasibility project to agree the long-term vision for the harbour.
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