PICTURES: Wick Paths Group volunteers transform South Head walking route
A popular walking route along the south side of Wick Bay has undergone a transformation thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers.
Members of Wick Paths Group spent Friday and Saturday improving the paths through the South Head quarries, with local businesses providing heavy equipment such as diggers and dumpers.
Paths group secretary John Bogle said: "I am delighted that our volunteers achieved so much at the weekend. The walk through the South Head quarries is very interesting and is so close to the town centre but the paths were getting muddy and overgrown.
"The walk is now much more pleasant with a nice picnic bench at the end overlooking the sea. Another picnic bench will be provided soon in an elevated position overlooking the bay.
"As always I would like to thank the volunteers who turned out to help, the local contractors who loaned equipment and the funders who provided the cash to purchase the materials."
The paths at the lower level through the quarries have been scraped and new stone laid and rolled where needed, while steps leading up to the old coastguard station have been dug out and new stone put in.
The area around the picnic bench at the far end of the path has been dug out and new stone laid, and the area around the nearby sundial has also been enhanced.
Stone monoliths located in the area were power-washed and a litter pick was carried out.
There is still more work to be done, however. A short section of path at the top of the cliff at the coastguard station is to be refurbished, while a picnic area halfway up the cliff will be improved and a new bench installed. The historic Stevenson breakwater will be weeded and the newly cleaned stone monoliths will have their lettering repainted.
Equipment was supplied by Subsea 7, MM Miller, Alan Ross and Graham Begg. Wick Paths Group has been given funding from the North Highland Initiative, the Rotary Club of Wick, the Co-op Local Community Fund and the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council as well as receiving a substantial anonymous donation.
