A SERIES of organised walks ranging from easy town rambles to challenging mountain treks will be staged across the North later this month.
The week-long eighth Caithness and Sutherland Walking Festival will get under way on May 22 and for the first time is being organised by Wick Paths Project, a sub-group of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.
A programme of 12 different outings has been arranged in partnership with several other local organisations and highlights include the Forsinard Challenge a 12-mile hike with RSPB rangers, which will offer views of moorland wildlife and birds and a trip to the Duke of Kent's memorial at Berriedale with Caithness Field Club.
A guided coastal walk from the former herring fishing harbour of Staxigoe to Noss Head Lighthouse will kick off the event, while a trek from the 19th-century fishing port of Whaligoe to the archaeological site of Yarrows is also planned.
Wick will be the main hub for the festival with four walks around the Highland Council's core access pathways for the town being highlighted.
Locals and visitors are also being invited to step back in time through the streets of Thomas Telford's industrial settlement of Pulteneytown, looking at art and architecture, in an event scheduled for May 23.
The walks, which will show off a mix of the area's natural and built environment, and its rare flora and fauna, have all been graded to suit different abilities.
A booklet has been produced detailing information about all of the events taking place and accommodation and other sporting activities and visitor attractions available in the area. Further information can also be found online at www.letsgonorth.com and www.northhighlandsscotland
Those wanting to take part can contact the individuals named alongside each walk in the programme.
Wick Paths Project is also making use of rural community bus transport, rail and the local bus service for those getting to and from the start and end of walks.
For the Forsinard Challenge, walkers are being advised to be careful in their choice of outdoor clothes.
Organiser Jennifer Bruce said: «We are delighted to note that the recent fire at Forsinard has not been as serious as feared, but the flows are not looking at their normal best so do wear suitable darker clothing as there is a still a residue of carbon on the ground.»
She is pleased at the response to the festivals from locals so far, and added: «We are hoping for plenty of visitors to all parts of Caithness and, of course, fair weather for them to enjoy the county.»
Evening events also being held include the talks, "Under Northern Skies", by Dan Mackay, at 7pm on May 24, and "A Cultural Crossroads", by Celia McDougall, at 7pm on May 25, and a ceilidh on May 28 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. All of these are being staged at Mackays Hotel in Wick.
Festival organisers hope the events will act as the start of a fundraising drive towards a celebration being held on July 13 to 15 to mark the 200th anniversary of Telford's completion of the inner harbour at Wick.
Source:
Official Website:
http://www.letsgonorth.com/festival.shtml
http://www.caithness-business.co.uk/article.php?id=2232
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