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The Courier
23-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Why £2 million 'race against time' to save St Andrews Harbour's historic pier from disaster continues
St Andrews Harbour Trust trustee Douglas Mundie is no stranger to innovative solutions. The 72-year-old St Andrews University graduate can claim a quirky but globally recognisable success: he led the team that developed the world's first squeezy tomato ketchup bottle, securing Heinz's inaugural order for 18 million of them in 1985. It's fitting, then, that the restoration of the storm-ravaged medieval pier at St Andrews Harbour – which reopened on April 30 – has demanded similarly inventive thinking and sheer determination. Douglas, alongside fellow trustee Ken Sweeney and a small band of committed volunteers, has been at the heart of monumental efforts to repair the historic pier and chart a sustainable future for the centuries-old harbour. The pier was triumphantly reopened with the return of one of the university town's most iconic traditions: the Gaudie. An estimated 2000 red-gowned St Andrews students processed along the newly repaired pier with flaming torches. They honoured John Honey, a student who, in 1800, saved sailors from a shipwreck near the harbour's entrance. But despite the celebrations and the photogenic symbolism, the work is far from done. While £1 million of repairs have been carried out so far, major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded, requiring a further £2 million. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain – and the clock is ticking. The urgency stems from the unprecedented damage wrought by back-to-back 'risk to life' storms in late 2023 – Storm Babet in late October and Storm Ciarán just over a week later. Together, they battered the harbour infrastructure, scoured the seabed, destroyed sluice gates and undermined the very integrity of the pier structure. Ken Sweeney, 69, a retired PE teacher and former St Andrews coastguard with deep family ties to the harbour, recalls the impact vividly. 'Basically, the harbour got weakened by the first storm then hit by the second,' he explains. 'The lock gates got driven from their resting position by a spate effectively and then bounced around by the swell in harbour. That was Storm Babet. 'That meant we had no control of the water in the harbour. We couldn't un-silt it without the gates. We did manage to re-open after a week thanks to a local farmer digging out the sand. 'But then the second storm, from the same north-easterly angle, bombarded the base of the pier along its full length – particularly at the pier landfall. 'It was like a washing machine scouring it out. The road was on its way if no remedial actions were taken, and the cliff and path down was at risk too. It still is!' The storms exposed the fragility of a pier structure whose original foundations date to the 14th century, built and rebuilt over generations. Capping stones from 1900 were lifted off like pebbles. Waves penetrated the twin rows of stonework, blasting out rubble infill with hydraulic force. Emergency intervention from Fife Council bought some time, with £100,000 of rock armour installed to prevent further cliff erosion and road collapse at the pier landfall. The Scottish Government's Marine Scotland Emergency Fund contributed £360,000 to urgent harbour gate repairs. But the trust – working closely with Historic Environment Scotland, Fife Council and Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group – also has the pier's A-Listed status to consider. 'We used oak double-fired wedges, carefully hammered into the stone joints,' explains Douglas. 'It's a traditional method with modern precision – the wedges swell with moisture to hold stones tight. 'We also repointed the pier nose, tidied the west wall, repaired the picnic area and even restored the smaller pier.' Tidal work schedules meant stonemasons worked unseen, often on the seaward side of the pier. Hard work meant the pier re-opened earlier than planned. Still, danger remains. The repairs completed so far have stabilised the pier, but the structure's landward connection – known as the landfall – remains highly vulnerable. Without the final phase of work, future storms could undo everything. 'Rock armour is in place, but it's temporary,' warns Douglas. 'Another winter like 2023, and we could lose the whole end section again. That would be catastrophic.' Permission has recently been given to use concrete on the seaward side of the landfall to give better protection. However, this brings different engineering challenges. The final phase – the rebuilding of the landfall, the reinstatement of the historic slipway, and long-term reinforcement of the surrounding cliff – carries an estimated cost of £2 million. The hope lies with two major funding bids: £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £500,000 from Historic Environment Scotland. If successful, these grants would leave a remaining gap of £500,000 – a sum the trust believes it can raise through community efforts and local donors. But time is short. 'We'd need to start work in spring 2026 to be finished by that winter,' says Douglas. 'Any later, and we risk being caught out by another storm season.' The University of St Andrews, whose students have helped fundraise and whose imagery often features the pier, has contributed £2,000 from its Community Fund and helped connect the trust to alumni networks. The student-run Kate Kennedy Club, which organises the Gaudie Walk, has pledged funds from its upcoming centenary campaign. In total, nearly £20,000 has been raised by the student community. However, the harbour trust would quietly welcome more direct financial support from the university itself. This comes at a time when the higher education sector faces significant funding challenges of its own. A spokesperson from the University of St Andrews said: 'The university has supported St Andrews Harbour Trust both financially, and in kind. 'We connected the trust to our alumni networks, and the University Community Fund donated £2,000 to the trust's pier appeal. 'To date the fund has supported 177 charities and organisations across Fife, including the harbour trust, with a total of £280,920. The university commits a core donation of £30,000 a year to the fund. 'Social responsibility is one of our core values…and we remain committed to supporting the harbour trust wherever possible.' Historic Environment Scotland describes St Andrews Harbour as of 'outstanding importance' in Scotland, as recognised through its category A listing. It has offered advice on sympathetic repairs in keeping with the historic character. However, the situation also highlights the growing need to better understand and respond to the impact of climate change on historic coastal infrastructure. St Andrews Harbour Trust's ambition goes beyond emergency work. Plans include a new café with upper-floor harbour trust offices and exhibition space, housed in a cantilevered structure that accounts for the fragile quay wall. Leisure pontoons have already revitalised the inner harbour. Seven working fishing boats remain active, vital for income and Marine Scotland support. The reopened pier is a triumph. But there's little doubt the harbour's long-term survival depends on securing the next wave of funding and completing the final phase of restoration before nature strikes again. You can donate at St Andrews Harbour Trust.
The Courier
23-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
St Andrews pier to reopen with iconic Guadie torchlit procession
St Andrews storm-hit pier will finally reopen next week, with the university's iconic Gaudie Procession. The medieval structure has been closed since Storm Babet caused £3 million of damage in October 2023. However, months of repairs mean students in red gowns will be able to take part in their annual torchlit parade along the pier on the evening of April 30. It will then reopen to the public the following morning. The Gaudie Procession, which commemorates a student who rescued the crew of a stricken vessel in 1800, was cancelled last year due to the closure. This year, a piper will lead students along the pier at 7.30pm. And they will then lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. The Storm Babet damage sparked a major fundraising drive and repairs are ongoing. So far, the sea wall breach has been restored and walkways relaid. The bulk of repairs so far were funded by a £360,000 Scottish Government grant. Donations were also provided by several trusts, with St Andrews University students and alumni handing over £20,000. And the public donated £18,700 through online fundraisers. However, another £2m is needed for major engineering works to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs. While grant applications have been submitted, it is thought there will still be a £500,000 shortfall. And an appeal has gone out to the public to dig deep to help bridge the gap. St Andrews Harbour Trust chairman Ken Sweeney says the pier reopening is a significant milestone. He added: 'Reopening in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. 'This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown.' Guy Nichols, Gaudie convenor, added, 'We are absolutely thrilled our event will return to its former glory with the pier reopening. 'However, if pier walks are to continue for generations, we need to ensure this beautiful part of Scotland remains protected from further storm damage 'So we'll be doing all we can to encourage more donations to the repair fund as the year goes on. '
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Historic Scottish pier reopens after massive £3m appeal to tackle devastating storm damage
The historic pier will be reopened for the first time since being badly damaged in a storm in November 2023 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The medieval pier at St Andrews Harbour is set to reopen after major work to repair devastating storm damage. The 14th-century structure has been closed to the public since November 2023. The pier will be brought back into service with a torchlit procession and a historic walk, with access to the public restored from Thursday, May 1. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after a massive fundraising effort to cover the £3 million repair bill for the breach of the seawall, with walkways also re-laid. There is still work to be done on less visible parts of the pier, but its re-opening is seen as a milestone for the town. The historic harbour suffered significant storm damage. Picture: Fife Free Press The main pier will reopen to the public after the annual Gaudie Procession takes place. Organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, it commemorates John Honey, a University of St Andrews student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. After processing from Younger Hall on North Street in St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm. Ken Sweeney, chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust, said: 'Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have it [the pier] ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The reopening also marks a significant milestone for us and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable.' The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, as well as donations from several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 coming from the university's students and alumni. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. However, the work is far from complete. Major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded and will need an extra £2m. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain. Mr Sweeney said: 'Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible, but equally critical areas, are still needed. So we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining funding gap. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Their generosity to date has been extraordinary and, with continued support, we can finish what we've started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.' Donations can be made at The reopening of the pier in time for the historic torchlit procession was also welcomed b y students. Guy Nichols, Gaudie convenor, said: 'The Gaudie is an incredibly important date in the Kate Kennedy Club and wider student calendar and we are absolutely thrilled that our event will return to its former glory with the pier reopening. 'The pier and harbour area generally are so important to the student community, and it's fantastic to see the repairs progressing to this point. However, if pier walks are to continue for generations, we need to ensure that this beautiful part of Scotland remains protected from further storm damage, so we'll be doing all we can to encourage more donations to the repair fund as the year goes on.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the past year, the trust has received considerable funding from local organisations and trusts, including Iona Stephen, Charities Aid Foundation, The Hamish Foundation, Lodge St Andrews No 25 and St Andrews Ball. With £2m required to repair the north-west slip and pier landfall, a total of £18,700 was generated through online fundraising pages. An additional £15,000 was donated by St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation with £10,000 coming from The Kinburn Charitable Trust, St Andrews Heritage Fund and St Andrews Community Trust respectively.
