Workers replace vandalised fence near historic Caithness castle
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Work has been carried out to replace a vandalised section of wooden fencing close to the historic Castle of Old Wick.
Historic Environment Scotland, which looks after the 12th-century stronghold, arranged for two of its Orkney-based maintenance staff to do the repairs this week as part of a programme of work at various Caithness sites.
The section of fencing, attached to a gate on the well-used coastal path south of the town, was deliberately damaged recently.
It came to light following an unrelated incident in which a person was photographed climbing up the scheduled monument, which dates back to the Norse era.
The path forms part of the John O'Groats Trail coastal walking route stretching from Inverness to Caithness.
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland said: “Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, our routine maintenance works were put on hold while our sites were closed. Now that we have resumed conservation work, two members of staff based at our Orkney Monument Conservation Unit are currently working in Caithness and will be inspecting sites, removing encroaching vegetation and carrying out minor repairs.
“As part of our ongoing conservation and maintenance works, our conservation staff are assisting with repairs to the fencing on the John O’Groats Trail. The fence, while not on our land, borders the Castle of Old Wick and was recently damaged and subsequently removed.”
