Wick Paths Group delighted with £1000 award
An initiative in Wick to maintain and restore walking routes in and around the town has come up trumps with a £1000 award.
Wick Paths Group (WPG) is delighted that its application for funding from the North Highland Initiative (NHI) Community Infrastructure Support Programme to carry out improvements on the North Head path was not only a success but achieved the maximum award of £1000.
WPG secretary, John Bogle, said "The North Head path has been particularly well used during the two Covid lockdowns but there are a number of potholes and the path gets flooded and is muddy in places. During the recent cold spell the water froze right across sections of the path making it treacherous in places.
"There are a number of points of interest along the path, as well as the fantastic views and we hope it will become increasingly popular with locals and with visitors when it is safe for them to return. The paths group intend to improve the drainage and lay additional stone on the worst bits."
He added: "We are delighted to receive this financial support from the NHI which will be used to buy materials and hire equipment. The work will be carried out by volunteers when the weather improves and Covid restrictions allow."
The North Head path is well used by both locals and visitors, forms part of the John O'Groats Trail and also provides uninterrupted views across Wick Bay.
There are several points of interest beside or close it:
- the North Baths
- a WWII pillbox that has been renovated
- the Soldiers Tower
- the Iron Wellie – also recently refurbished
- a WWII searchlight station
- a previously inhabited cave
The WPG has had two interpretive panels with Caithness Stone bases manufactured and has received planning permission for these to be installed beside the path. A third panel will be moved up from the harbour to the base of the old foghorn station at the North Head – a short path loop will be installed as part of these works to access the foghorn plinth.
Mr Bogle added: "Unfortunately, the untarred part of the path has several potholes, there is lying water in parts and other parts are muddy. During the recent cold spell several parts of the path were frozen over.
"We previously carried out some improvements to the path and recently Willie [Watt] has undertaken some additional drainage work. This grant will enable us to buy materials and hire equipment to undertake further improvements."
The work will be carried out when the area dries out a bit and when the current Covid restrictions permit.
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