Wick harbour area brightened up with colourful sheds
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Wick's community council led an initiative to brighten up the town's harbour with volunteers transforming a series of old sheds using vibrant colours.
The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) agreed to the project led by member Eswyl Fell, and local painter and signwriter Alex Paterson offered to help, along with retired university lecturer Linda Swanson and a few others who occasionally helped out.
Eswyl said: "It was quite a daunting task, but we all got on so well, and it was fun. Alex Paterson taught us to prepare the surfaces well, and we were in awe of his skill as a signwriter. We also met lots of interesting people at the harbour – locals and tourists alike – and hadn't realised how busy this part of the harbour was.
''The project hasn't been completed yet, due to holiday commitments, but the volunteers hope to see the area further tidied up with the addition of a bench, flower barrels, an exterior [historic] photo showing fishermen mending nets outside the sheds, and perhaps artwork from local artists on a sea theme. The community council would like to thank the Harbour Authority, and Simpsons for the use of their fork lift cages and also the Lamb family for their donation of £100 towards the project."
The Robertson family also gave a £500 donation from a recent bowls match in memory of the late Johnnie Robertson, described as a very "popular taxi driver" in the town. The money was used towards the costs of preparing and painting the sheds in a variety of colours.
Johnnie's daughter, Emma, said that her father loved the harbour, and felt that this was a "fitting way" to use some of the money raised.
Eswyl said she was inspired by the light show at the harbour during Lyth Art Centre's Northern Lights Festival in 2021, and felt that this area of the harbour would benefit from brightening up as the marina is "such a colourful, beautiful asset to the town".
