Elie Harbour Trust
Elie Harbour is owned and operated by a charity, Elie Harbour Trust Ltd. The trust also owns the Elie & Earlsferry beach. The Trust has two objectives:
- to maintain and improve the buildings and fabric of the Harbour, including the harbour wall.
- to provide, improve and renew facilities for all Harbour users, both local residents and visitors.
All the income generated from car parking, boat launches and moorings and any events in the harbour or on the beach goes to towards essential upkeep of the Harbour area so that we can all enjoy it both now and in future generations.
If you want to launch, moor or store a boat at the Harbour, please contact the Harbour Master, Stewart Barclay, on 07709 084203 or 01333 330 399 or visit the Harbour Master’s office. For any other enquiries, such as holding an event, or for storage, or to contact the trustees, email: secretaryelieharbourtrust@gmail.com.
The Harbour Trust is run by a board of volunteer trustees from the local community “in the interests of social welfare to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time occupations for the benefits of the public”. (Memorandum of Association 19/02/1975).
The Harbour Trust has an ongoing schedule of maintenance and improvements, and generates income from harbour users to fund this essential work. Limited reserves are available for a large disruptive event, such as storm damage to the Harbour walls, or for facility improvements, so in addition, the Harbour Trust plans to raise additional income.
Maintaining the Harbour
The fabric of the harbour wall and surrounding area are key to the continued viability of the Harbour and for the Harbour to protect Elie and Earlsferry from the strengthening storms and seas.
The height of the sand in the Harbour is now around 1m higher than when the causeway and road access was built, as the causeway acts as a barrier preventing the sand flowing out along the East coast shore. Therefore, the Trust is actively looking at removing some of the sand in the area so that the Harbour stays deep enough to be a viable venue for sailing and boating activities.
Facility Improvement Programme
The use of the harbour has changed in recent years, and the Harbour Trust, following consultation with stakeholders, visitors and the local community, is responding to this with a plan to improve and change the facilities on offer in the harbour that reflects the changing nature and the future use of the harbour area. These include:
- Toilets, changing and showering facilities, open to all and open year round
- Indoor catering facilities open to all and open year round
- Improved storage facilities
The resources needed to implement this development plan are substantial, and therefore the Trust is seeking better use of its available space. It is currently looking at various options to maximise the use of the harbour area and provide financial resources to enable the development of improved facilities for all stakeholder groups such as Sailing and Rowing Club, East Coast Cruising Club, Elie Seaside Sauna, Elie Watersports, and all other water users, with year-round indoor facilities.
The Trust is therefore planning for alternative uses for the existing Store and Dinghy Park, ultimately with the plan to build a facility that meets the needs outlined above. This does however mean that the space available for storing dinghies and other small boats will be much reduced in the short term.
If you are interested in a mooring, or as a boat visitor to the Harbour, please contact the Harbour Master, Stewart Barclay, on 01333 330 399 for storage enquiries, or to contact the trustees, email: secretaryelieharbourtrust@gmail.com
Trustees
John S Whitehead (Chairman)
Richard Spilsbury (Treasurer)
Charles Abram
Stewart Barclay (Harbour Master)
Rosemary Black
Graeme Dickson
Fiona Houston
Angus Meldrum
Blair Matthews
Secretary to the Board: Nicola Hetherington