Beatrice funding improves accessibility at Wick's North Head footpath
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Funding from the Beatrice offshore wind farm has improved accessibility at a popular walking route overlooking Wick Bay.
The Caithness Beatrice Community Fund gave £6234.72 to Wick Paths Group to replace fencing on the North Head coastal footpath and to widen the concrete path leading partway up the slope from the North Baths.
The money also paid for hi-vis vests for paths group volunteers.
The work was carried out by local contractor GMR Henderson Ltd. An award of £2219.26 from Friends of the John O’Groats Trail and an anonymous donation of £500 went towards the overall cost of the project.
Willie Watt, chairman of Wick Paths Group, said: “We are delighted to receive this important funding and would like to thank the Caithness Beatrice Community Fund, Friends of the John O’Groats Trail and our anonymous benefactor for making it possible to improve safety and maintain access to everyone on this popular walking route around Wick Bay."
Mr Watt mentioned that improvements had been carried out previously by the North Head Path Group, a forerunner of Wick Paths Group.
"In 2005 this path was shut down for safety reasons," he said. "Here we are making sure that what we put in place then is refurbished and good for another 20 years.
"Without it, there would be a great walk lost in Wick – and it's accessible to everybody."
David Shearer, SSE Renewables community investment manager, said: "The North Head coastal path is well used by local residents as well as visitors to the area, including those walking the John O’Groats Trail.
"The enhancements to the pathways and fencing help to improve safety and accessibility for all users. The provision of hi-vis vests also ensures the safety of the group’s volunteers who do commendable work in maintaining the pathways."
A competition was held for pupils of the town's two primary schools to design a logo to appear on the new hi-vis vests.
The winning design by Erna Thain – who was then at Noss Primary School and now attends Wick High – features the Caithness flag with a set of footprints going across it.
Mr Watt said: "The Wick Paths Group logo that adorns our waistcoats and equipment was beautifully designed by Erna, having been chosen after a competition between pupils at Noss and Newton Park primary schools.
"The vests have zips rather than Velcro closures and handy pockets for cutting gear, spare bags and so on.
"All in all, a great collaboration of various groups and individuals coming together for the benefit of all.”
Twenty of the vests have been delivered so far, with 20 more to come.
The Caithness Beatrice Fund has now closed. It was funded by the Beatrice offshore wind farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Red Rock Power, the Renewables Infrastructure Group and Equitix.
Community benefit funds associated with the Beatrice offshore wind farm have a total value £6 million to benefit groups and organisations in the Highlands and Moray.
Beatrice funds were originally made available for a five-year period. These were split between the Beatrice Partnership Fund and the Beatrice local community funds, one in Moray and one in Caithness.
