Cox's brief two years ago was to get the marina into shape for selling, but for yachtsmen this is probably the start of further development.

McColl & Associates own and operate Nannykay Marina in the BVI, where improvements have attracted, amongst other events, the Oyster Caribbean Rally.

The general manager at Oban will be John Hunter, who previously worked at Nanny-kay.

and the MD will John McCoach of McColl & Associates.

The medium term ambition is to develop the marina sympathetically and to bring sailing "big time" to Oban, something that is well overdue in the key town on port on the Argyll Coast, but one which has virtually no facilities for visiting yachts.

McColl has a reputation for getting things done, so this challenge will be a serious test of his resolve.