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Tayport
Image © Bob Jones

Tayport

Latitude: 56° 26'N
Longitude: 02° 52'W
Country: Scotland

Ownership: Tayport Harbour Trust Ltd
Type: Private
Usage: Leisure
Contact name: Derek Miller
Address: 5 Station Road, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 6FR
Telephone no: 01241 853794
Website: www.tayport.org.uk/article.php?id=35


About Tayport

Situated on the south side of the River Tay, Ferryport on Craig, as it was originally known, started life as a quiet farming and fishing village. It was not until the invention of steam aided ferries that Tayport really took off in its own right. The village was a natural crossing place for goods travelling from St.Andrews and Edinburgh northwards to Dundee and Aberdeen. With a reliable network of railroads through Fife, goods transportation was a rapidly growing business. The invention of the world's first roll on roll off ferry started life on the Tay and Forth Rivers, crossing the Tay at Tayport and over to Broughty Ferry. The current harbour was rebuilt 1847 by the Edinburgh & Northern Railway as a basin formed by a pier and two quays; it was the terminus of the ferry to Broughty Ferry.

The Harbour is no longer used for large scale commercial fishing or as a ferry point and is instead a recreational facility. Many of the boats are owned by locals who cruise the 'Silvery Tay' in the summer months enjoying the spectacular views that the river has to offer.

This is the best port of call for visitors to the "Firth of Tay" and has an easy entrance available approx. 3½ hours either side of high water. Coming in from seaward entrance just West of timber Larick Pile beacon (conspicuous) -approach harbour mouth from main channel just East of Craig Buoy. Coming from the West, harbour is about ½ mile East of abandoned Lighthouse and Craig Buoy should be rounded to starboard. Beware moored yachts off harbour entrance and strong tides across harbour mouth.

The Tay Corinthian Boating Club is based at the harbour.

The area surrounding the harbour has been altered substantially since the 1970s. New housing has been built at the south end and west side of the harbour, the latter taking the site of the former railway station.

Improvements have been carried out recently by the Harbour Board, including new pontoons. Other environmental improvements have been carried out by Fife Council and include a cycleway and better car parking.

All enquiries regarding moorings in the harbour should be addressed to Callum Fraser, Berthing Officer, on 01382 553799.


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