Wick volunteers carry out further improvements at North Head footpath
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Volunteers made the most of glorious weather as they carried out further improvements at Wick's North Head footpath.
The dedicated team from Wick Paths Group worked for two days upgrading sections of the popular walking route which runs along the northern side of Wick Bay.
On Friday the rough track from Proudfoot Road down to the North Head path had a layer of chippings laid and was then rolled. The nearby tarred path was weeded, while one of the three new interpretive panels installed in the area had chippings laid around it.
In addition a length of the North Head path itself had a layer of chippings laid and rolled.
Volunteers were back on Saturday. They finished laying and rolling chippings on the main path, while the two new link paths to the new information panel on the edge of the headland were filled in.
The area around the other panel above the North Baths was dug out and chippings laid, while 18.07lb of rubbish was picked up from the adjacent rocks.
The volunteers observed social distancing throughout. Group member Willie Watt returned later to tidy up the laydown area.
Paths group secretary John Bogle explained that the work on the North Head route is now almost complete. A bench has still to be fixed in place once it is delivered.
Mr Bogle praised the commitment of the volunteers and the support from local businesses.
"We were blessed with excellent weather for our latest efforts to improve the paths around Wick," he said. "We spread and rolled tar chippings over two long sections of the path, and we also filled in two new paths that connect the main path to the concrete base where an interpretive panel has been sited – this will soon be joined by a bench.
"We also laid chippings round the two other new interpretive panels and a litter pick of the shore was carried out. I would like to thank the volunteers who once again turned out to carry out the work and the local businesses that supported us – MM Miller Ltd, Subsea 7, Wick Airport and GMR Henderson – as well as the North Highland Initiative for the funding it provided.
"On Saturday there were more volunteers out cleaning out the old slipway beside the medical centre and painting the railings. It is great the level of support we get from local people who are willing to make an effort to improve their local environment for the benefit of everyone."
As reported last week, two of the North Head interpretive panels were designed and manufactured by David Mackay of Signs and Designs, Lybster, and were funded by donations from Subsea 7, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited, Wick Gala and Seaway 7. The third panel was transferred from Wick harbour.
They give information about the history, wildlife and other points of interest associated with the area.
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