Thurso riverside landmark is 'in need of urgent attention,' says local Highland councillor

A WELL-known landmark at Thurso riverside is "in need of urgent attention," according to a local Highland councillor.

Matthew Reiss said there is structural movement in the Mall shelter which is over 70 years old. He said one of the walls has shifted while some of the timbers have rotted. "It looks like a fairly serious issue to me and probably is dangerous," he said.

Mr Reiss said Highland Council engineers have had a look at the property and plan to erect safety fencing around the building.

The Thurso and northwest Caithness Highland councillor said a detailed survey of the shelter will be undertaken to find out the extent of the problem and the costs of repair. Ownership also needs to be established, he stated.

Mr Reiss added:"It is in need of urgent attention. Safety fencing needs to be put up around the shelter although it may be unsightly. I would hope the cost of repair is not too prohibitive but the work needs to be done as the property is in a very popular and attractive part of the town."

Local historian, Alan McIvor, who is the chairman of the Thurso Heritage Society, said: "The Mall shelter was erected by the now defunct Thurso Improvements Committee, at a time when they were undertaking other improvements around the town. In 1949, they received a £200 donation from the Thurso District Nursing Association for its erection. The members of the Thurso Town Council unanimously approved the location of the shelter in 1951. The building work was completed sometime around late 1951 by Munro and Sons, Thurso costing just over £200."

He added: "The shelter of wooden construction has a concrete floor and rustic felt slates on the roof. Its dimensions are eighteen feet by eight feet, and eight feet six inches high. The posts which support the roof were said to have been added later and are thought to have come from the Bandstand which once stood at the back of Sir John’s Square."

Mr McIvor believes the shelter was gifted to the town by the Thurso Improvements Committee.

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