PICTURE SPECIAL: Safer route to Keiss Castle officially opened after last year’s clifftop fatality
After tragedy struck at a Caithness beauty spot last year, the community rose to the challenge and has now created a safe walking route to Keiss Castle.
On Friday, October 30, 2024, the alarm was raised after a man fell from a clifftop close to the castle as he was trying to take a photograph of the ruins. Coastguard rescue teams, including a helicopter, the RNLI’s Wick lifeboat, ambulances and police were all involved in the emergency response.
Willie Munro was the duty launch authority for Wick Lifeboat that day. When the call from the coastguard was received with a description requesting assistance, the lifeboat was immediately launched.
“From the description and location, I knew it was going to be a difficult recovery,” said Mr Munro.
“In the end, a rescue helicopter had to be used. Later, we discovered that the casualty had passed away due to the injuries sustained. In my additional role as the local RNLI Water Safety Officer, it was now on my radar as an area that needed special attention.”
He noted that the John O’Groats Trail (JOGT) organisation “did improve the situation a little” with the installation of stiles, but it had limited funds for doing much other work around the castle and its approaches.
“Fast forward to a few months ago, and as a director of the Sinclair's Bay Trust (SBT), we found ourselves the recipient of funds from SSEN. This money was to be used on community projects and administered in collaboration with the local community council.
“The subject of the fencing at Keiss Castle came to the top of our list. When I contacted the JOGT manager, it turned out they had a fencing improvement plan but lacked funding. Following a number of site visits with all stakeholders, the plan was fine-tuned to meet the needs of walkers, visitors and the farmer. There was to be a gated double-fenced lane with a viewing area set aside for visitors.”
The work started on September 12 and was completed by the end of September.
The pathway leading to Keiss Castle had been a concern to the local community council and SBT for some time. The single field boundary fence exposed walkers to farm animals on one side and high cliffs on the other. The fence itself was in poor condition due to repeated crossings by visitors. This led to farm animal loss over the cliffs, especially when dogs were not on a lead.
Following the creation of the NC500 and the John O’Groats Trail, visitor numbers dramatically increased along the route. Many in the community, however, thought it was a matter of time before a major incident occurred along the clifftop walk.
Walking along the route to the castle for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the blustery afternoon of last Friday (October 3), it was obvious that great care had been taken to evaluate the most dangerous sections of the walk. Signs are posted at the start of the route next to Sinclair Bay Lodges campsite and trip hazards have been resolved with small bridges across streams.
New gates with further information are sited at a point where the land rises on the approaches to the castle. Strong fencing, secured in areas by concrete posts, has been erected on either side of the pathway to create a much safer route along the clifftops.
John O’Groat Trail manager, Laura Gray, was at the official opening of the upgraded pathway last Friday, along with Mr Munro, farmer Scott Webster, fencing contractor George Shearer and SBT chairperson Maysie Calder.
Ms Gray said: "We are delighted to have been able to collaborate with SBT, local tenant farmers Douglas and Scott and George Shearer on this project. This has long been an area of the John O'Groats Trail on our minds for improvements, and the support of SBT has now finally enabled this to happen.
“We hope that both Keiss Castle and the trail can now be safely enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike. Keiss Castle is a fantastic showcase for how local collaborations can create great outcomes for everybody."
On behalf of the local Trust, Ms Calder said: “The area surrounding Old Keiss Castle has been a longstanding concern for Sinclair’s Bay Community Council and Trust.
“Over the years, we have engaged in discussions with the castle’s owner to explore ways of improving access to this important local landmark for both residents and visitors. However, the primary barrier has consistently been funding.
“Both the community council and Trust wholeheartedly support the efforts of the JOGT and recognise the positive impact it has had in encouraging coastal walking and tourism in our area. We have long been eager to find a way to enhance not only the castle site but also the coastal path as it passes through our community.
“The recent collaboration between the JOGT team, local land managers, contractors, and community organisations clearly demonstrates how quickly positive change can be achieved when we work together. We are proud to support the Trail and look forward to walking this newly improved section.”
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