The Moray Firth Partnership has won the 2004 CoastNET 'Best Coastal Partnership Project' competition. The Partnership’s project ‘The Alness Point Improvements’ was the winning project and the Partnership was presented with the award at the Littoral 2004 International Coastal Conference in Aberdeen.

'The Alness Point Improvements' project was started by the former Cromarty Firth Liaison Group (CFLG), which amalgamated with the Partnership in 2002.

Alness Point is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a popular walking area, and important for the local community and for the wildlife and habitats it supports.

In 1999, the CFLG identified opportunities to develop and manage Alness Point including new business, environmental education, recreation & bird-watching activities. However, there were some long-standing conflicts to resolve, including motorbike disturbance, vandalism and fly-tipping, as well as potential erosion of sensitive habitats, such as the salt marsh.

In order to tackle these issues, the project brought together the main players, engaged the local community, and managed a number of actions and improvements. They secured ERDF Objective One funding, match funded by the Highland Council, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and Talisman Energy. They repaired fences, erected interpretation panels, cleaned the beach and drew up a conservation and management plan.

Much credit goes to the local volunteers, led by Alan Richards, who helped and continued this work. They formed the conservation action group "Wild and Green", which continued the practical improvements and registered the local beach under the Marine Conservation Society’s "Adopt a Beach" scheme. Ross and Cromarty Enterprise, the Highland Council Ranger Service and local businesses also provided additional in-kind support.

Malcolm McArthur, Area Manager of the Highland Council said, "We are delighted that the achievements of this local project have been recognised. This is a clear example of the benefits of partnership working and shows what can be achieved around our coast through the will and dedication of local people to improve their environment and economy."

A second Moray Firth Partnership project was also among the top ten CoastNET ‘Best Coastal Partnership Projects’. This was for work on producing a management scheme for the Moray Firth candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), with particular reference to Bottlenose dolphins and sandbanks slightly covered by seawater at all times. This was led through the Moray Firth cSAC Mangement Group.

For more information:

• Moray Firth Partnership
• CoastNet