Trust formed to improve the Sinclair Bay area of Caithness
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A BODY has been formed to improve and develop the Sinclair Bay area of Caithness as a place to live, work and visit.
Sinclair's Bay Trust wants to undertake a number of projects to make the place more attractive for locals and tourists alike while protecting and enriching the community's heritage and culture.
It has already produced plans to create a path network which will link the coastline of the area, starting with Staxigoe to Ackergill. The trust also wants to bring the toilets at Keiss into community ownership with an asset transfer from Highland Council.
Local businessman, Andrew Mackay, who has hotels in Wick, Thurso and Castletown, is involved in the initiative.
He hopes the various projects will make the Sinclair Bay area "an even better place to live work and visit."
The trust received about £4000 from Beatrice Offshore Wind Ltd to help start up and aims to get money from other funds and sources for its range of initiatives, including traffic management, tourism, access to beaches and any development which can improve the area.
"Longer term, we want to make the Sinclair Bay area sustainable as well as a good place to live, work and bring up children," he said.
When the idea was first mooted, the community council conducted a public consultation on what it meant to live in the area, what was good about it and what could be done to improve it. A survey was also carried out.
To give the trust a brand and identity, local Wick High School pupil and artist John T Mackay from Keiss was asked to produce a logo which was innovative and mirrored the trust's outlook. He took the outline of the geographical area of Sinclair’s Bay Trust and created the image of an Arctic tern which "catches the eye while giving a strong identity," said Mr Mackay.
Trust chairwoman, Maysie Calder, is delighted with the logo and said: "John has put a lot of effort
into creating a dynamic and fresh image that puts us on the map. Hopefully, we can identify new projects that will enhance the community for everyone."
She explained that as the trust encompasses a large geographic area, it has arranged volunteers for specific locations. Members of the public can approach them with ideas and suggestions.
Pat Ramsay will look after the Staxigoe, Papigoe and Noss Head areas with Ian Ross responsible for Reiss and Ackergill while Maria Aitken will be looking after Keiss and Lyth. All three are vice-chairs of the trust.
"Please reach out to any of us if you have any ideas or thoughts or if you feel you can assist in any way," added Ms Calder.
