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Bookings 'flooding in' and volunteers urged to help as Wick caravan site makes a fresh start





Wick Development Trust chairman Jonathan Miller: 'There is a lot to do on site in preparation for opening.'
Wick Development Trust chairman Jonathan Miller: 'There is a lot to do on site in preparation for opening.'

Bookings are "flooding in" to Wick's caravan and camping site as it prepares to open as a community enterprise – and a call has gone out for volunteers to lend a helping hand.

Wick Development Trust is gaining entry to the popular riverside facility today, and individuals or community groups are being encouraged to turn out this weekend to play a part in ensuring the site looks as attractive and welcoming as possible before holidaymakers start arriving at the end of the month.

It is being renamed as Wick River Campsite.

In May it was announced that the trust was set to take over the running of the site in time for the main tourist season. The intention is to operate it as a community enterprise, with profits ultimately going towards local regeneration projects.

Highland Council had been seeking new operators after the couple who had run the site for the past 15 years, Tricia and William Miller, decided to retire.

Wick is on the North Coast 500 route and the caravan site is a key part of the local tourism sector.

Trust chairman Jonathan Miller said: "Wick Development Trust is very excited to be gaining entry to the Wick caravan and camping site this Friday after agreeing terms with Highland Council for the lease of the site. Our plan is to now have the site open to guests from June 27.

"We have launched a new Facebook page and website and we are taking bookings through Pitchup.com until our new booking system is up and running next month.

Wick Development Trust chairman Jonathan Miller (second from right) and directors Jennifer Richard (left) and Ellie Lamont with Alistair Jack, Caithness Voluntary Group's development trust support officer, after it was announced in May that the trust was set to take over the running of the caravan site. Picture: Alan Hendry
Wick Development Trust chairman Jonathan Miller (second from right) and directors Jennifer Richard (left) and Ellie Lamont with Alistair Jack, Caithness Voluntary Group's development trust support officer, after it was announced in May that the trust was set to take over the running of the caravan site. Picture: Alan Hendry

"I’m very pleased to say the bookings are flooding in already, which just goes to show what an important site this is for the tourism industry in Wick and also Caithness in general.

"We have been extremely busy behind the scenes the last couple of months trying to organise everything that is needed to have the site operational. However, now we have the entry date confirmed there is a lot to do on site in preparation for opening – tidying, cleaning, painting, weeding, grass-cutting, planting flowers, erecting our new signs and much more.

"The trust will be on site all weekend and would welcome any volunteers who may wish to come along and help out. We can be contacted through our Facebook page for more information, or just turn up when you can.

"We are looking forward to opening on June 27 in what is a new start for the camp site as a community enterprise. The importance of this site cannot be overstated for the local tourism industry, and as a community enterprise it will also benefit the town through its contributions to our other projects in the future."

Support for the venture has been provided by Alistair Jack, Caithness Voluntary Group's development trust support officer.


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