PICTURES: Sunshine, toasts and ribbon cutting as Golspie Community Council holds ceremony to officially open Balblair path extension
Golspie Community Council held a ceremony last Saturday to officially open an extension to an existing path at Balblair Wood, part of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve.
Around 20 people of all ages gathered for the event and to walk and cycle along the path after the opening ceremony.
As well as community councillors and members of the public, East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillors Richard Gale and Jim McGillivray were present.
A 500-metre roadside cycle and footpath running parallel to Ferry Road was completed in 2018 and the new path extends it from the entrance to Balblair Wood to the picnic and scenic area at Salmon Ponds.
The path means that walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users can travel safely from the village of Golspie to the wood and back again.
Golspie Community Councillor Iain Miller was the driving force behind the path project and had the honour of cutting the ribbon.
The new extension to the path was toasted with a dram by Mr MIller, Golspie Community Council chairperson Henrietta Marriott and Richard and Sally Gordon of Waverley Engineering.
Mrs Marriott paid tribute to Mr Miller, saying that without his “sheer, dogged perseverance and dedication” the project would not have been completed.
She said: “The path extends and improves access to Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve and is of real benefit to local residents and visitors.”
She thanked all those who helped make the path a reality, including Anastasia Young from Sutherland Estates; Matt Dent from Highland Council, Nature Scot; councillors Richard Gale and Jim McGillivry and Paul O’Brien and his team from Waverley Engineering.
After the ribbon was cut, adults and children walked and cycled down the path to the Salmon Ponds to enjoy the views across Loch Fleet to Skelbo.
Funding for the project was provided by Gordonbush Wind Farm Benefit Fund, Beatrice Community Fund, Kilbraur Community Benefit Trust, NatureScot, East Sutherland and Edderton ward discretionary fund and Golspie Community Council.
