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Iona Breakwater works updates archive

Archive of Iona Breakwater works updates up to August 2025

Project Update - April to August 2025

Licences and consents

*Associated with the EIA is a Seagrass Mitigation and Monitoring Plan which was approved by the Marine Directorate in July 2025.

Environmental monitoring and reporting will take place throughout the construction period as required by relevant licences.

Works complete to date

  • Slipway site mobilisation and set-up
  • Toilet block site mobilisation and set-up
  • Toilet block demolition / construction of new block, connection to utilities, installation of Mechanical and Electrical components.
  • Breakwater site mobilisation and set-up
  • Breakwater – initial deliveries of 1-3 tonne rock by barge 21,000 tonne.

Works in progress

  • Finishes to toilet block
  • Slipway repairs
  • Placing of 1-3 tonne rock to form base and secondary rock core of breakwater
  • Construction of foundation to Aid to Navigation beneath and within breakwater 

Works required before completion

  • Building Standards final assessment of new toilet block
  • Delivery of approximate total 60,000 tonne of 1-3 tonne rock (core)
  • Delivery of approximate total 60,000 tonne of 6-10 tonne rock (primary)
  • Completion of rock armour bedding and core placement, and placement of ‘external’ primary rock armour to breakwater.
  • Construction of access steps detail to AtN light from sea
  • Tie in of breakwater to land levels
  • Mechanical and electrical elements of breakwater (Aid to Navigation light)
  • Make good surfaces damaged during works / site compound occupation
  • Site demobilisation slipway, toilet block and breakwater.

Update 20/04/2026

Pre-applications consultation events

Proposed licensable marine activity at Fionnphort Ferry Terminal

Anyone wishing to provide comments on the proposed construction of the breakwater and overnight berthing facility can do so by writing to the prospective applicant at: elsa.simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Or by post to:

Infrastructure Design Manager, Infrastructure Design, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RD, not later than 19th June 2026.

Comments should be dated and should clearly state the name (in block capitals) and full return email or postal address of those making comment. Comments made to the prospective applicant are not representations to the Scottish Ministers. If Argyll and Bute Council submits an application for a marine licence to Scottish Ministers, an opportunity will be given for representations to be made to the Scottish Ministers on the application.

We are also held two consultation events:

  • Thursday 21 May 2026 from 10.00 - 20.00 at Creich Community Hall, Creich, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull PA66 6BP  
  • Friday 22 May 2026 from 09.15 - 16.15 at Iona Village Hall,  Isle of Iona PA76 6SP 

Documents

Fionnphort Breakwater and Overnight Berth / Quay Extension Proposed - General Arrangement Plan

Fionnphort Breakwater and Overnight Berth / Quay Extension Proposed - General Arrangement and Sections A-A, B-B, C-C

Update  27/03/2026

Breakwater

Licensing matters, specifically those related to the Seagrass Mitigation and Monitoring plan, delayed the Breakwater Construction start date which affected the supply chain and pushed planned Works into the Winter 2025/26 period.  Weather conditions did not allow Breakwater Works during the winter months.

The Contractor will re-commence construction of the Breakwater as soon as the weather allows (during April 2026 date TBC) with the aim of completing these Works before winter 2026/27.

Slipway

The sub-contractor will be returning to site during late April/May 2026 (date TBC) to correct defects to the repair work.

Toilet Block

This is substantially complete, and while there has been some delays due to the supply of the doors, in particular the locking system, this is now concluded. Building warrant approvals are on-going with the aim to open the block and remove the temporary units during April.

Finishing works to the area surrounding the toilet block will be completed following the full installation of the Breakwater.

Licences and consents

Associated Matters

  • *Associated with the EIA is a Seagrass Mitigation and Monitoring Plan which was approved by the Marine Directorate in July 2025.
  • A specialist third party is undertaking Environmental monitoring and reporting throughout the construction period as required.

In order for the Council to address the conditions within the above licenses the Council set up regular meetings with Marine Directory, Nature Scot and Environmental and Sea Grass specialists.

Works complete to date

  • Slipway site mobilisation and set-up
  • Slipway repairs
  • Toilet block site mobilisation and set-up
  • Toilet block demolition, construction of new block, connection to utilities, installation of Mechanical and Electrical components.
  • Breakwater site mobilisation and set-up
  • Breakwater – initial deliveries and placement of 1-3 tonne rock by barge 21,000 tonne.

Project Update - March 2025

Foyle and Marine Dredging have prepared their landing craft and currently expect to arrive on site week commencing 10th March. 

Calmac and the Harbour Master have been informed of the intended arrival on Monday the 10th or Tuesday the 11th.

They will off-load at the slipway between the ferries 12.30 to 14.25 lunch window and again after the last ferry sailing. The works after the last ferry may run until 10 pm for this initial mobilisation activity.

The Council and our specialist Consultant are in discussions with Marine Directorate to finalise the Seagrass Enhancement and Monitoring Plan.

The European Protected Species and Basking Shark Licences have now been awarded by Marine Directorate. 

Project Update - February 2025

 Comments were received from Marine Directorate with regards to the documents submitted in January. The Council and Foyle and Marine Dredging are revising documents accordingly.

Project Update - January 2025

 All documents required for the Planning Application Decision and Marine Directorate Licence conditions were submitted on the 20th January. 

Project Update - December 2024

 60,000 tons of granite rock have been secured by the Contractor from Glensanda Quarry, this is 48% of the total rock required for the breakwater.

 A quote for the replacement of the existing toilet block has been submitted by the Contractor. The Council are carrying out a feasibility check on the quote to determine if this provides good value.

Project Update - November 2024 - Contract Award

 The Construction Contract was awarded to Foyle and Marine Dredging on 01/11/24, for a sum of £14,785,026.21.

 The Start-Up meeting was held between Argyll and Bute Council and Foyle and Marine Dredging on 13/11/24.

 Foyle and Marine Dredging will provide temporary toilet units for the duration of the work on the toilet block.

 The initial programme anticipates works will begin on site in March 2025.

Project Update - October 2024

 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) decision notice has been published in a local paper (Oban Times) and The (Edinburgh) Gazette for 2 weeks, to meet the requirements set out in Regulation 25 of The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Project Update - September 2024

The Construction Licence and Dredge Licence have now been awarded from Marine Directorate. The decision notice outlining the reasons and considerations on which the decision is based can be viewed below:

Planning permission was approved on Thursday 2nd May 2024. Further details on this can be found at:

23/01793/PP | Construction of breakwater, demolition of existing toilet block, erection of replacement toilet block and installation of septic tank | Land South Of Iona Slipway Isle Of Iona Argyll And Bute (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

The contract is now in the process of being awarded to the Preferred Bidder

Project update - April 2024

The Iona Breakwater tender responses have been received and assessed.

Works are currently on standby while the Land Acquisition, Planning Application, and Marine Scotland Licences are finalised.

Project Update – December 2023

Iona Breakwater Tender

The Iona Breakwater Tender has been uploaded to Public Contracts Scotland on 01/12/2023.

The tender documents comprises of: 

  • Breakwater Construction
  • Demolition of the Existing Toilet Building and Construction of a new Toilet Block
  • Completion of Lower Slipway Works
  • Dredging Works

Project Update – November 2023

Marine Scotland Licences under public and stakeholders consultation 

MARINE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 

THE MARINE WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2017

Notice is hereby given that Argyll and Bute Council, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead PA31 8RD have applied to the Scottish Ministers for marine licences under section 20 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to carry out construction, dredging and deposit of dredge material associated with the breakwater project at Iona Harbour.

The proposed works are subject to an environmental impact assessment (“EIA”) under the above EIA Regulations. Copies of the applications, including plans detailing the location, together with a copy of the EIA report discussing Argyll and Bute Council’s proposed development in more detail and presenting an analysis of the environmental implications, are available for inspection, free of charge at: The Argyll Hotel, Isle of Iona, Argyll, PA76 6SJ (Monday to Friday, 0900 – 1700), Calmac ferry terminal building waiting room, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, PA66 6BL (Monday to Saturday, 0900 – 1600), Planning and Building Standards, Argyll and Bute Council, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RD (Monday to Friday, 0900 – 1700).

Any representations should be made in writing to the consenting authority by email to: md.marinelicensing@gov.scot or by post to The Scottish Government, Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, identifying the proposed works and specifying grounds for the representation, not later than 15th December 2023. The Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date. Representations should be dated and clearly state the name (in block capitals) and the email or postal address of those making the representation.

A full copy of the Public Notice can be viewed here: Iona EIA Public Notice

Project update - October 2023

Project Objectives

Protection to the exposed landing slip at Iona such that the Cal-Mac Ferry can safely and consistently expect to be able to berth without fear of service disruption, significant passenger discomfort, or threat to safety of passenger and vehicular traffic in anything other than weather conditions.

Proposed Works

At Iona, Argyll and Bute Council proposes to dredge and dispose of sediment from the harbour area, construct a breakwater and demolish/ replace the public toilet unit. 

Current Progress

Recently we have added the replacement of the existing toilet unit to form part of the full Planning Application which was uploaded on the 11/09/2023. 

At current, Infrastructure Design are working on the Tender documents for construction, detail design of the toilet unit, and progressing with Marine Scotland consents.

Associated documents

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (this document has been split into 8 parts due to the size of the document)

Documents on this page may not be fully accessible for people using assistive technology. If you require these documents in an alternative format, please contact Elsa Simoes - elsa.simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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