Through ongoing, longer-term project development, we have identified the Community Hub as the most effective next step in delivering our wider vision for the harbour. Creating the Hub, which will include a larger and more accessible space for the Beach Wheelchairs, will provide an immediate focal point for community activity and help build the financial resilience needed to support future phases of regeneration.
We are delighted that sportscotland agrees and has pledged £100k to the project. Trustee Kevin Gibson says: “This very generous award from sportscotland will help us kick-start our ambitious plans for North Berwick Harbour. The Community Hub will be a fully inclusive, collaborative space. It will open island viewpoints and provide changing rooms, drying facilities and flexible club space, to support activities such as rowing, wild water swimming, kayaking, sailing and paddleboarding.”
We are also working hard to secure the remaining amount needed to realise this project and have two large funding applications pending to this effect.
Funding applications prepared for vital repair work for South Crane Pier
With support from the North Berwick Trust and the North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, we instructed engineering company Haskoning to carry out a detailed survey of the South Crane Pier. Their analysis shows the cracking of the wall is being caused by the historic pier head settling unevenly, due to softer ground beneath it. This is causing significant movement of the masonry and loss of stonework around the crane foundation and adjoining slipway. Work to remedy the problem is currently out to tender.
Andy Hunter, a Structures Officer at East Lothian Council, continues to work with the Harbour Trust following his crucial role in the emergency response to Storm Ciarán.
We have recently received £50k in funding from East Lothian Council’s Community Intervention Fund, and a private donation of £50k, which puts us in a good position to apply for the remaining cost of the work from Heritage Environment Scotland. This funding application is currently being put together.

Our amazing Harbour Helpers have turned out rain, wind and shine throughout the year and continue to keep on top of all the vital jobs to keep the Harbour accessible, safe and looking spick and span.
During their busy year they have built several new benches and picnic tables (thanks to St Andrew’s Blackadder Church and The Merchant Navy Association for their kind donations).
The Beach Huts and Beach Wheelchairs area has two new colourful benches too, while the railings have been painted and new signage put up to keep harbour users safe.
Weeding, welding and new flower tubs added to the list of chores. It was also time in October to take down the Harbour wall seaside mural, for storage from the Winter weather until next Spring.

New railings have been installed around key parts of the harbour to improve safety, particularly for visitors. With thanks to funding from the Stella Moffat Trust and the Common Goods Fund.

The latest Harbour Market attracted large crowds on Saturday October 17 after a successful run over the past few months.
The weather was glorious, with blue skies, sunshine and a gentle breeze following a few Saturdays when strong winds had forced early closure and September’s market had to be cancelled due to the weather forecast.
The market is regularly held on the second Saturday of the month but was postponed by a week in October as it was ‘boats out’ the previous weekend.
The next market is planned for November 14 with the Christmas Market scheduled for December 12 and 13. The first Christmas Market last year proved a great success with an expanded showcase of local makers, food and entertainment.
Traders are looking forward to welcoming customers to their festive stalls again this year, which will be sheltered in a cosy Christmas marquee, to shield everyone from the wintry elements. We hope to see you there!

You may recall that in October 2023 a one-in-30-year storm overtopped the North/East harbour wall, causing damage to some boats on the esplanade and flooding storage areas.
The Harbour Trust decided to undertake a design exercise to see if the existing Rock Armour sea defences could be improved to provide better protection to the North harbour area in the future.
A marine engineer (Wallace Stone) has been appointed to provide appropriate marine engineering advice, and, on their recommendation, a drone survey was carried out at low tide in early August this year.
The survey images were subsequently forwarded to engineering consultants Tetra Tech, who have completed a wave-modelling exercise to show how the existing Rock Armour and harbour wall performs in a variety of anticipated weather and tidal conditions.
This exercise has been completed, and Wallace Stone will now carry out a design exercise to allow them to recommend proposals to minimise or eradicate the overtopping of the harbour wall in future storm conditions.