Dunnet beach wheelchair scheme aims to be up and running this year
Dunnet Bay is set to be the latest Scottish beach where access will be afforded to people whose mobility issues currently prevent them from enjoying the beauty spot.
A number of community groups are behind the initiative to provide bespoke beach buggies on to which individuals can be hoisted before making their way along a new improved path on to the two mile-long sweep of white sands.
Caithness Disabled Access Panel (CDAP) came up with the plan to emulate Dornoch, the only beach in the far north which at present offers wheelchair access.
CDAP is working along with Caithness Voluntary Group, Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council and John O’Groats Development Trust to firm up the scheme and raise the funds.
CVG community development officer Alix Sutherland is charged with finalising the logistics and legal and liability issues.
She has visited Dornoch where there are four buggies, all of which have large rubber wheels to make them easier to push along sand, as well as a powered chair and two hoists. Ms Sutherland was very impressed by the free-to-use operation which was started up by a charity in 2020.
Because Dunnet Bay is a site of special scientific interest, it is very unlikely a storage building would be allowed to go up on the beach or dunes area.
A facility is earmarked for the car park adjoining the Seadrift visitor centre, with Highland Council having agreed to widen and flatten the access path to provide a safe gradient down to the beach.
Those involved in the venture arranged for a buggy to be taken to Dunnet for a trial run, which proved successful.
Ms Sutherland said: “It helped us gauge interest in the scheme and it raised some really good issues and concerns about liability.”
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She is working on the nitty gritty of the storage arrangements together with maintenance, insurance and liability issues.
It is proposed to buy two buggies and a hoist, which together with the shed, are provisionally estimated to cost between £35,000 and £40,000.
Users would be able to hire a vehicle free of charge via an online booking system. The development trust is charged with securing the funding package, which includes tapping a local wind farm benefit fund.
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The community council is actively supporting the scheme and is to encourage volunteers to get involved.
Vice chair Henry Gunn said: “We’re 100 per cent behind the scheme at Dunnet beach. It’s going to benefit lots of people who currently can’t access it.”
Ms Sutherland said: “It’s a fantastic project which will not just benefit locals but people throughout Caithness and people on holiday in the area.
“The service will be made available to anybody who needs it.”
All going to plan, she is hoping it can be operational by autumn.
Ms Sutherland envisages a year-round demand for the buggies, which would be provided free of charge.
She believes the scheme could be replicated along other stretches of the Caithness coast.
Sinclair Bay Community Council is already looking into making the provision at Reiss beach.
The Dunnet scheme has been warmly welcomed by Wick and East Caithness Highland councillor Jan McEwan, who went along to the trial.
“One person who used the buggy was overjoyed as it was their first time on a beach for 40 years,” she said.
“It’s great that a scheme is going to be up and running soon and hopefully others in Caithness will follow.”
Alistair Ferrier, chair of the Association of Caithness Community Councils, said: “We’re spoiled for beaches in the county and it’s massively positive to see the work going on to make them more accessible to everyone.”