Royal visit for Golspie: Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to tour harbour and seafront area
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An East Sutherland village facing an environmental challenge is to receive a royal visit later this month, it has been announced.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will pay a visit to the coastal village of Golspie on Monday, May 20.
Prince Edward and Sophie are said to be keen to see for themselves the impact of climate change, extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels on the community.
Golspie has been identified as among 10 coastal sites in Scotland most at risk of flooding.
An increasing number of floods in recent years, and particularly in recent months, have caused coastal damage in the area, affecting businesses and homes, and also those who depend on the A9 trunk road which runs through the village.
The royal couple will be visiting from Edinburgh where the Duke of Edinburgh is being installed as His Majesty’s Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland during assembly week.
They will tour the seafront and harbour area of the village where the effects of flooding are clearly visible.
They will also meet members of the Golspie Flood Action Group, local residents, fishermen, environmentalists and representatives of businesses affected by the flooding such as Golspie Golf Club.
The Duke and Duchess will also be introduced to people who use the sea for recreation including representatives from Golspie Rowing Club.
From the seafront the Royal couple will be taken to Golspie’s Memorial Garden, located nearby, where they will meet veterans and schoolchildren.
They will then join members of Golspie Heritage Society who are hoping to set up an outdoor display of flood events in the village through the years.
Henrietta Marriott, coordinator of the Golspie Flood Action Group and chairman of Golspie Communnity Council, said she was thrilled that the Duke and Duchess had taken the opportunity to visit Golspie.
“‘The community council is thrilled to be able to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Golspie,” she said.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the climate change challenges which the village and this area face, but also to showcase the community of Golspie.
“This is an open event and all members of the public and local residents are warmly invited to take part and enjoy the occasion.”
