New benches on Thurso river walk thanks to £6000 Rotary Club project
A £6000 community project to replace damaged and rotten benches on a popular walking route in Thurso has been completed.
Thurso Rotary Club led the scheme which saw 12 new bench seats installed around the Thurso River and Mall Walk which is popular with runners, cyclists and walkers.
Several club members had noticed that the seating was in a very poor and dangerous condition, so the club agreed to source funds to renew the benches.
The Highland Council Community Payback Scheme was tasked to remove all the old, damaged seats in preparation for the new seating. Thurso College Construction Section students, supported by college staff, installed most of the new seats, with Rotary Club members completing the installation of the last few seats.
New plinths for two seats were installed by A & A MacKay Builders, free of charge.
Project coordinator Kevin Sutherland said: “This was an excellent community project, with the raising of funds and the enlistment of community groups and companies to assist with installation.

"The improvement to the seating will allow more people access to the walk and will provide them with more opportunities to rest as they enjoy the scenery around the river.
"We are grateful to everyone who has donated funds and provided assistance to the project.”
The project was funded by Thurso Community Council, the Association of Caithness Community Councils, Caithness and North Sutherland Fund and Ashley Ann. A crowd-funding page was also set up for individuals and businesses to donate, while money from Thurso Rotary Club's Community Fund completed the funding package.