Busiest season yet for Wick River Campsite with over 21,000 visitors
Wick’s much-admired campsite has had its busiest year since becoming a community enterprise, with well over 21,000 visitors.
That represented an increase of more than 5600 compared with 2024, while total bookings, at over 10,000, were up by about 2800.
Alistair Jack, chairman of Wick Development Trust, was given a spontaneous round of applause when he announced the figures at the November meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.
The site reopened under the management of the development trust in June 2022 and has now reached a point where profits can be put towards local regeneration efforts.
A new reception building opened this year as part of a £435,000 revamp. That followed on from a £450,000 facilities block which was officially unveiled in 2024.
The site is open from the start of April until the end of October.
Mr Jack told community councillors that in 2022 there had been 1505 bookings, equating to 3490 visitors. The following year the figures rose to 7348 bookings and 15,604 visitors.
In 2024, when the site remained closed during April for upgrading, bookings for the year amounted to 7311 and visitor numbers rose to 15,664.
The 2025 season brought 10,124 bookings and 21,268 visitors.
Mr Jack reminded community councillors of a study carried out by the development trust in 2023. It indicated that visitors to the site that year were contributing approximately £642,000 to the local economy – so the amount for 2025 will be considerably higher.
Community council chairman Allan Bruce said: “To me, that exactly emphasises why we are so passionate about looking after our town.
“It’s not only for the local community but for the 21,000 visitors.”
Mr Jack pointed out: “This year we’ve had a lot more people staying multiple nights.”
The latest improvements at the site were showcased during a community open day in June.
Wick River Campsite continues to receive glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, with visitors describing it as “very professionally run” with “immaculate” and “top-class” facilities, while also praising the helpful staff and the riverside location close to the town centre.