Get out and about in Caithness for Green Health Week
Caithness projects for Green Health Week (May 3-11) include events at Castletown, Dunnet Forest, Wick and Lybster.
Celebrating health in nature, the events include a session of practical work at Dunnet Community Forest (DCF) on Sunday, May 4 from 11am to 2pm and Thursday, May 8, from 9am to noon. Work to improve the forest includes being part of a team of volunteers to develop and maintain habitats for plants, animals, birdlife and all forest users.
DCF is currently concentrating on the removal of invasive species, mainly cotoneaster, and looking after the health of saplings that have been planted over the past 10 years by removing tree guards, checking tree health and re-staking.
Anyone interested should meet at the woodshed, which is opposite the Dunnet Bay Sea Drift Centre/Caravan Park. For more info, email Garance at: dev@dunnetforest.org
In Wick on Tuesday, May 6, the Wick Health Walk group will meet at 2pm at the Council Service Point. The group will walk for approximately one hour and have tea/coffee in The River House after the walk. The group walks in all weathers and has different lengths of walks for those who are not feeling quite so energetic.
For more information, contact: patgrovesuk@yahoo.co.uk
The Castletown Health walk will meet on Wednesday, May 7, at 10.30am outside the Drill Hall. The group will walk for approximately one hour and has tea/coffee in the Castletown Hotel after the walk. The group walk in all weathers and have different lengths of walks for those who are not feeling quite so energetic.
For more information, contact: patgrovesuk@yahoo.co.uk
At Lybster on Friday, May 9, from 10am to 12.30pm, High Life Highland Countryside Rangers will conduct a coastal walk from the village to Achastle.
The cliff top walk heads south to the old herring station at Achastle, and participants will be able to see whales, nesting seabirds and plantlife. Meet at the Waterlines Visitor Centre. Ground uneven in places. Please wear sturdy boots and dress for the weather.
Over 18s only, and please no dogs. This is a 5km walk with lots of stops for Green Health Week. To book, go to booking.highlifehighland.com/programme/2 and search for code ACT002858 it is under general activities.
There is no charge for this event, but donations are welcome to help protect Highland wildlife and heritage. Contact: kirsty.rosie@highlifehighland.com 07920182658 for more information.
In celebration of Green Health Week, Highland Council is showcasing the impressive achievements of the Highland Nature Restoration Fund.
Chair of the economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “The 67 projects supported by the fund have made significant contributions to enhancing biodiversity through a variety of projects including wildflower planting, woodland and wetland creation, and removal of invasive species.”
More details on Green Health Week are available at: www.thinkhealththinknature.scot.nhs.uk/greenhealthweek/
The Highland Council is a member of the Highland Green Health Partnership, a programme which aims to encourage more use of the outdoors to tackle physical inactivity, mental health issues and health inequalities. The Partnership is supporting Green Health Week.
