New interpretive panels installed at Wick's North Head footpath
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A popular coastal footpath alongside Wick Bay has been enhanced with the installation of three interpretive panels at different points along the route.
The information boards at the North Head path give details of some of the history and wildlife associated with the surrounding area.
They have been provided by the volunteers of Wick Paths Group, who have been carrying out a range of improvements on various routes in and around the town.
Two of the panels were designed and manufactured by David Mackay of Signs and Designs, Lybster, and were funded by donations from Subsea 7, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited, Wick Gala and Seaway 7. The third panel was transferred from Wick harbour.
The new panel above the North Baths has a skyline photo of the southern shore of the bay and picks out points of interest. The second new panel is located further along the path towards the North Head and focuses on shipwrecks and rescuers.
The third was previously in a relatively unseen area of the harbour and has been relocated to the concrete base of the old foghorn at the North Head. It highlights some of the wildlife that can be seen in the bay.
It will be joined soon by a large bench.
Paths group secretary John Bogle said: "We are delighted at how these new panels look and how they add to the experience of walkers on the path. I am sure they will be of interest to both locals and visitors.
“David Mackay researched and drafted the information displayed on the panels as well as constructing them, and he came up with lots of interesting facts. We are very grateful to the sponsors who made the installation of these panels possible.
“The North Head path is very popular with walkers, especially since the first Covid lockdown last year. For anyone who has not been along the path, I can thoroughly recommend it.
“In addition to the great seascapes there is the interest of watching boats entering and leaving the harbour plus various points of interest – the North Baths, the World War II pillbox, the Soldiers' Tower and the Iron Wellie – and now we have these interpretive panels giving some history about the area.
“There are some benches along the route for walkers to rest and enjoy the views. We have a new bench on order which will be located on the base of the old foghorn at the North Head beside the interpretive panel that has been transferred up from the harbour and details wildlife in the area."
It is a busy week for the group as the path itself will be upgraded on Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday, group member Allan Bruce has arranged with some friends to tidy up the old slipway beside the medical centre.
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