North Berwick Trust Ltd (NBTL) is pleased to announce its commitment to supporting the North Berwick Harbour Trust (NBHTL) in advancing the next phase of the Harbour Development Plan with a turbo charging grant of up to £2,000,000 – the largest capital grant award in the history of the Trust.

Recognizing the harbour as a vital part of the town’s historic and cultural landscape, NBTL is committed to ensuring its future sustainability and enhancement.

Development plans for the harbour have gathered pace since the storms in October 2023. Substantial damage was caused to both the harbour wall and the walkway, exposing the harbour’s structural vulnerability and the urgency to strengthen sea defences. This new capital award builds on the repair work already completed, in large part due to NBTL funding of £190,000 alongside community fundraising efforts.

Following a detailed presentation by NBHTL to the NBTL Board on 25th February 2025, the Trust is thrilled to announce its support of this landmark project for North Berwick. With the grant offer valid for five years until March 2030, a key condition of the grant award is the transfer of ownership of the harbour area from East Lothian Council to NBHTL. Given the complexity of this process, an interim lease extension is underway to support grant funding requirements.

Treasurer of NBHT, Andrew Duns, explains:

“NBHTL sees the harbour as a valuable community resource that we are managing for the benefit of the town of North Berwick. We are working to put the whole area into ownership of the town for the benefit of the town’s residents. Restoring, repairing and developing the harbour is part of the process of taking ownership in the longer term.”

NBTL will fund each project element on a 50/50 matched basis, up to a total of £2,000,000. It is hoped and expected that by taking the lead as the first funders of this key development project for North Berwick, it will assist NBHT in securing match funding and turbocharge NBHTL’s fundraising efforts. The grant is also contingent on the project proceeding and securing sufficient additional funding.

NBTL Chair, Sir David Tweedie, expressed confidence in the vision for the harbour’s future:

“We fully recognize the importance of the harbour to North Berwick’s identity and economy. The Harbour Development Plan presents a forward-thinking strategy to enhance this vital asset, and we are delighted to offer our support. North Berwick Trust is determined to stand behind the Harbour Trust and we look forward to seeing the progress of this significant project to not only restore but enhance our beautiful harbour.”

The North Berwick Harbour Trust’s ambitious plan aims to improve facilities, enhance the visitor experience, and ensure long-term sustainability for the harbour. With this substantial financial backing from NBTL, the project moves closer to realizing its goals.

Link to documentation here

The repairs to the harbour wall were completed in September 2024.

Many thanks to East Lothian Council, Marine Scotland, North Berwick Trust and all of North Berwick for the tremendous support we received to make this possible.

If you would like to see more information about how the funds were used please click this link for a PowerPoint presentation NBHTL slides public meeting Oct 2024