Highland Council giving support to care for common ground
New support is being given to squads of volunteers mustered by local community councillors to help maintain common ground not looked after by Highland Council.
The local authority is giving them access to mowers, strimmers and other equipment during their stints.
Subscribe to receive free regular email newsletters
The initiative was outlined at Wednesday's meeting in Wick of the Association of Caithness Community Councillors.
Phil Tomalin, community development manager in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said the system has already been trialled in the far north.
He said that community councils need to vouch that all the volunteers know how to use the equipment and are insured.
An online booking system has been set up, with the equipment picked up from and returned to Allans of Gillock.
Mr Tomalin said Highland Council has bought a stock of face masks, ear defenders and helmets for the volunteers.
He added: "This is going to rely on everybody using the system properly. We'll give it a go and see if it works."