“Thank you” is the obvious place to start after battling illness in recent weeks, and receiving some welcome kind wishes and sentiment on a return to action. “Thank you” is also for the generosity of time you share when reading the blogs, visiting the social media platforms, signing up to a newsletter, participating in the ‘Postcards’ section of this humble website, and for being You.
I had low expectations when I began this venture in August, last year, due to the life we all find ourselves living. We’re all too busy to be looking at nature themed photography, or reading about community developments, or learning bits of history. But here we are, twelve months in to something which is named “Whaligoe Eye”.
August 23rd, 2022…
On August 1st, 2022, I posted a blog which contained general updates on various points of interest taking place here around Whaligoe Steps. Watch Your Step… – Whaligoe Eye
One specific aspect in that blog entry regarding the state of the single access lane to the residential carpark and the carpark itself was raised with examples of pot-holes. For those who are interested, the pot-holes have been filled in by the Highland Council. I was reliably informed that the Council Ranger was the individual who took care of these. Many thanks. Here are some photos…
Remaining in theme that this blog entry is a celebration of twelve months deciphering the ownership and maintenance, uploading and use of a website in conjunction with learning about nature and a whole host of other elements which go in to this project, it is also a chance to recognise the Highland Council have stepped up to provide a yellow grit bin for icy conditions (located in the residential carpark), a rubbish bin for the litter situation (also located at the residential carpark) and have now filled in pot-holes. So “Thank you” to all who had a part to play in these welcome additions to the Whaligoe Steps area.
Reflecting over this first year which has really flown by like a seagull swooping in the air, there have been some beautiful natural moments documented and captured. Here’s a shameless gallery for your perusal.
Fulmar (Fulmarus Glacialis) in flightGrey seal (Halichoerus grypus)Highland cowLion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
There was a prize giveaway late last year which was fun and a newsletter subscriber was selected at random and received this in the post.
Well, the good news is that it’s happening again! I am currently preparing prizes and if you’re an individual who signed up to receive a newsletter or if you’re a follower on Facebook, then keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks as developments take place for a celebratory freebie giveaway.
Going to share a gallery of wildflowers which I photographed over recent months around Whaligoe Steps.
Over the past year since Whaligoe Eye began, I’ve slowly been adding content to the ‘Postcards’ section where visitors are kind enough to have their photograph taken during a visit to Whaligoe Steps;
the ‘Nature’ section is constantly being updated with new images (which reminds me, I have plenty of new ones to add!);
there’s been blogs about congestion and highlighting the situation of an unsuitable infrastructure here for visitors and residents alike;
Press & Journal coverage…
a prize giveaway; coverage of a seal puppy encounter;
Baby grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)Baby grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) – One of my last photos of a grey seal pup after monitoring it for 13 days…
updates on traffic incidents; updates about an animal rescue attempt; updates on stonemasonry on the first three flights of Whaligoe Steps thanks to Charles Juhlenski;
Stonemason, Charles Juhlenski
coverage throughout June of my ’30 Days Wild’ (an initiative inspired by the Wildlife Trust in understanding and appreciation of our natural world); a little hint of the wealth of historical content (much more to come!); plus on social media some frivolity with Easter, Halloween and Christmas…
All going well, I’m buckling up for the next twelve months to continue posting blogs, adding images to ‘Postcards’ and ‘Nature’ plus making a concerted effort to get this historical content I’ve been researching and reading, to you in some form via WhaligoeEye.co.uk
The issue thankfully is not having the lack of content to share, it is merely juggling the time and resources to share it with you. A blessing in disguise.
The learning curve never ends.
Take care for now, stay safe and sending you positive wishes.
This blog entry was going to share some history themed content as two overflowing and interesting collections of information lay in the wings. Instead, visitor numbers and developments of one sort or another have been taking place.
August 1st, 2022…July 31st, 2022…
I’m always learning as I keep telling you, and despite hearing nothing from the head of the local Highland Council, Raymond Bremner or any other Council ward representatives for that matter, I did find myself speaking with the local Highland Council Ranger/Warden today. He’s called Derek and to state the obvious, the guy has a lot on his plate!
During the tourist themed online meeting the Council held on September 29th, 2021, they were complimenting themselves about the introduction of their Rangers who were speaking to the respective local communities and gathering data. It has taken several months, but contact has now been made with the Ranger Derek who seemed in the dark over several issues. Fingers crossed that further communications may continue and some steps are taken as a result.
The reason the Ranger and I were talking to each other, came about due to a visitor to Whaligoe Steps falling in a hole where degradation is evident. I witnessed a similar stumble a few weeks prior, but with nobody returning my communications at the Highland Council, I was not able to progress any enquiries before this recent incident.
Hole near residential car park…Pot-hole in access lane to residential car park…Road decay near residential car park…Pot-hole in centre of residential car park…
These examples of pot-holes and degradation of infrastructure are just part of the issues which are witnessed by those who visit and live in this neighbourhood. Congestion on a fairly regular basis, my close encounter of nearly being run over ( Student of Life (Part 2) – Whaligoe Eye ), vehicle and property damage due to the inadequate parking facilities here, etc.
The photo where you see a red cone is the point where more than one visitor has fallen, so please be aware when walking from the residential car parking area down to the Whaligoe Steps.
Let’s have some wildflowers now as they look stunning at this time of year here around Whaligoe Steps…
Whilst taking photographs of the wildlife around Whaligoe Steps, I zoomed in on a large seagull and found out to my dismay that it had a yellow tag wrapped around the left ankle.
Great black-backed gull…
After some valiant research, I found out how many seabirds were being tagged and surveys conducted by some interested organisations. The British Trust for Ornithology were the first point of contact and sent back some data regarding this specific seagull.
It was initially tagged back in June, 2011, in Badbea, Berriedale. Nearly nine months later it was sighted in Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk!! Then after a few months we find ourselves in Helmsdale in 2014, sightings taking place around the harbour area.
Jump forwards to 2016, and a sighting placed the great black-backed gull in Albion Landfill, Albert Village in Leicestershire!
On July 18th, the stonemason heard in the early hours of the morning a tremendous crash as a significant sized object made contact with the north sea. Not necessarily unusual as rocks and debris fall from the overhanging cliffs.
Photograph taken from the Bink of the cliffs…
But this sound was something different and after closer investigation, a deer was sighted surviving the 250 foot fall and somehow scrambling to the safety of the shallow cave on the pebble shoreline.
After a valiant attempt at rescue and assessment, the deer was nowhere to be found. There were hopes that through adrenaline and the fact only one exit and access point down to the Bink were available, that the deer had found a way out. It was spotted by a boat tour on the coastline and it is thought the deer made an escape later during that same day.
July 22nd, 2022…
There is a memorial located at the top of the Whaligoe Steps which is dedicated to Etta Juhle.
Memorial to Etta Juhle…
This local lady cared for the Whaligoe Steps for many years and was fondly thought of by many. In the winter of 1975, she cleared away a large landslide using a shovel and a bucket from a fireside companion set throughout the entire season.
Etta’s son Charlie is the stonemason who has been single-handedly restoring the steps and has been mentioned previously in earlier blogs, and has given Whaligoe Eye a peek at a wonderful new plaque which can be found on the bend where the second flight meets the third as you descend.
With the continued sterling and professional workmanship on display, this addition really is stunning. It is still worth noting that three flights of the steps are getting slowly but surely in a state of disrepair and should be approach with caution.
As well as the danger of falling rocks/debris from higher ground, the steps themselves are a little cumbersome in places, so please be aware of this if you’re planning a visit.
Charlie very kindly shared some photographs of the state in which Whaligoe Steps was in a few years ago, and the remarkable transformation in recent times is quite something to behold. More on this subject in later blog entries.
Birdwatcher…
With those updates dusted off and shared, I hope as always this blog finds you safe and well. As visitors and wildlife enthusiasts of all interests converge on this area, I too intend on keeping my eye out for further unfolding developments and observations worthy of your time. There will be blogs about the history too! After all, we are going back over several centuries to the first mention…
Take care and know I’m sending you positive wishes only always. Until the next time, thank you for your continued interest and support. If social media is anything to go by, you are enjoying the content whether it be natural, historic or political.
As I assemble the material for this latest blog, it is the early morn’ of July 13th, 2022. I’m in a reflective mood pondering over how much has happened in such a short duration, plus how much I have learned about myself and about our society. Elements which impact this wee community are culturally different in so many ways to other locations around the globe for a plethora of reasons. The ways in which improvements and safety are implemented for those who are relevant can be such a slow and frustrating process as a specific example. Maybe you’re in a similar position within your own cultural and socially constructed system?
This is a handy link to a ‘recap’ I compiled for a previous blog if you have the time and interest. Recap!… – Whaligoe Eye
Image showcasing some social media coverage from 2021…
Now to focus on what this blog is about…
Yesterday at around 3pm-ish, it became apparent that another car-related incident had unfolded to the obvious distress and disappointment of those present. Out of respect for the people involved and for the nature of such things, I’ve selected photographs which provide an ambience in the aftermath.
With a Highland Council van in attendance (photograph to your left as you look at the three images above), it simply informs us that they had a presence and therefore are aware of another vehicle-related incident taking place at this location. The Highland Council are responsible for maintaining and providing a system and service which accommodates the needs of a community and in this instance, the visitors who travel here from around the globe. Individuals of the community pay tax and have a legal right to at the very least, a suitable infrastructure and a safe environment for all concerned.
I understand that it’s easy to be frustrated with their seeming lack of action in addressing the Whaligoe Steps lack of facilities. I also take into account the Highland Council do so much and have their proverbial fingers in so many pies, that it’s a truly intimidating task and certainly unfair to simply criticise them for oversights or slow responses. Assessments and reviews, legal obligations, logistical challenges, and so much else take place when the Highland Council need to address a situation.
July 13th, 2022…
The above photograph was taken mere moments before I began to tackle this blog entry. It is a boring but vital piece of the puzzle which the Highland Council will be researching. This is the access to the residential car park located here at the location of Whaligoe Steps.
July 13th, 2022…
The residential car park here this morning… Note: A rather ugly looking pot-hole in the centre of this area.
July 13th, 2022…
In the name of transparency with what Whaligoe Eye has witnessed around the Whaligoe Steps location, this year thus far has NOT been as hectic as previous years. Important to state this, but there have still been busy times where congestion HAS taken place, and the logistical nightmare which befalls road-users has brought about frustration and minor incidents.
So this blog which continues to raise relevant issues is not an attack on the powers-that-be. It is simply commentating about ongoing and anxious times. If all goes to plan, I wish to tackle mental health topics in a future blog. (Incidentally, thank you so much for those who have made contact about such health-related matters, it means a lot and I’m appreciative of the support).
On June 3rd, 2022, I heard some commotion outside my front door and thoughtlessly ventured out onto the path to observe, the path which is for pedestrians/residents running adjacent to the row of bungalows here. I’m not sure how to articulate this without it sounding sensational, but I was simply close to being knocked down by a car which had mounted the kerb.
It was my first personal experience of nearly being run over since moving here over twenty years ago. Other residents have shared their experiences with near-misses since the increase in traffic, but the community still awaits any progress for infrastructure improvements.
Raymond Bremner, leader of the Council (Caithness Committee, etc…)
I went to Wick police station to report my near-miss and due to the surprising nature of the incident, couldn’t offer much insight apart from the shade of car which nearly hit me and how the only injury I sustained was probably my pride. Stumbling backwards into my doorway thankfully saved me I believe.
My email (dated June 4th, 2022) explained that I had originally communicated concerns back in September 1st, 2021, but had received no reply. I expressed a feeling of “Perceived apathy” and hoped to hear from someone this time around, even as a common courtesy.
This was over a month ago as I assemble this blog for you, and here is the reply I received…
July 13th, 2022…
I wish to reiterate how I am trying to make this blog entry as objective as I can. As a resident here at the top of Whaligoe Steps, merely trying to go about my law-abiding pursuits, to be hindered and anxious to an increasing degree feels unjust and somewhat confusing.
When reflecting over the above article, with respects of feeling uninformed and baffled as to the lack of obvious progress here at Whaligoe Steps, I’m naturally of the mind there is merit to the journalistic coverage.
Nevertheless, as long as I face a blank wall which seems satisfied to sit in absolute silence and not communicate with me, but rely (perhaps) on other resources to inform me what is going on with the environment in which I live, I’ll continue to compose blogs of this subject matter and share with you accordingly.
Let’s have a beautiful photograph of a family of seagulls I took recently…
July 12th, 2022…
Thank you for being so kind supporting the Twitter and Facebook accounts, also for subscribing to the newsletter. The increasing awareness and interest in Whaligoe Eye, my poetry and the coverage of all things regarding Whaligoe Steps has been a revelation.
THANK YOU!
There are two history-themed blogs in the wings which have been meticulously researched, something special coming about Charlie Juhlenski (the Stonemason), plus many other blogs covering life around Whaligoe Steps.
Take care, stay safe and here’s a photograph of a faint moon above Whaligoe Steps, taken on the evening of July 8th, 2022…
This is my third blog documenting highlights and outlining what was achieved around Whaligoe Steps, and in some isolated instances, further afield in the county of Caithness, during a The Wildlife Trusts | The Wildlife Trusts initiative called ’30 Days Wild’.
Since 2015, the Wildlife Trust has inspired individuals of all walks of life to appreciate and understand better the natural world which surrounds them.
So many highlights and revelations were taken from this thirty day duration of wildlife observation and study. There were moments of creativity like the stone painting and a little poetry. Times of celebrating specific wildlife or in the case of literature, celebrating the writings of author John Horne.
Expectations were dashed and simultaneously exceeded when no sighting of an orca during a tour of the north sea coastline took place, but yet despite not seeing deer during the ‘wild camp out’ a sighting was made several days later. The photo of a gannet (Morus bassanus) above on the very last trek down the Whaligoe Steps was a real gift, as were the images captured of butterflies from the garden here.
Snails were abundant one soggy morning eclipsing all other wildlife, as white-lipped snails danced in slow-motion on the prominent flora. Initial ideas for that specific day were sidelined as I photographed the snails moving about all around me.
Plenty of captured memories which give me a lot of pleasure in sharing with you. If you’ve visited this location before at Whaligoe Steps, maybe it’ll be of interest. On the other hand, if you simply enjoy viewing wildlife images including birdlife, wildflowers, the sea or even the skies, then I hope this blog entry with the previous two give you something of interest.
Locations during this month of natural appreciation ended up with most love landing at the door of Whaligoe Steps obviously, but you’ll also note the north coastline boat trip I took around the John O’Groats area, Dunnet Forest for some alternative terrain, two local gardens to the Whaligoe Steps and the recognition to the Wildlife Trust streaming section of their official website. This is where I tipped my hat to Norfolk (water voles) and ‘Scotland’ (Peregrine falcons).
Thank you only always for your time and interest, time for me to set sail again…
This is my second blog regarding my humble attempt at following the inspiration of ’30 Days Wild’. Each day of June it’s all about appreciating and understanding more about Mother Nature, an initiative started back in 2015 by The Wildlife Trusts | The Wildlife Trusts.
Documenting each day from June 11th to June 20th, this second blog will showcase everything from going orca spotting in the north sea, to signing an online Wildlife Trust approved petition.
DAY 11: WILDLIFE TRUST APPROVED PETITION
June 11th, 2022…
DAY 12: SUNDAY STROLL
June 12th, north sea…June 12th, pebble shore…June 12th…
DAY 13: MELLOW MONDAY
June 13th, scotch thistle…June 13th, Star the cat…June 13th, gull foraging…
DAY 14: PICNIC
June 14th, picnic on the Bink…
DAY 15: SNAIL WATCH
June 15th…June 15th…June 15th…
DAY 16: CAITHNESS SKIES
June 16th…June 16th…June 16th…
DAY 17: NATURE-THEMED POEM + EXPLORING SHALLOW CAVE…
June 17th, north sea as I ventured to the mouth of the shallow cave…June 17th, barnacles living on the coastal rock…June 17th, looking out from shallow cave…
DAY 18: FIRST DAY OF THE ‘BIG CAMP OUT’ WEEKEND!
From the Wildlife Trust poster included in their ’30 Days Wild’ pack…June 18th, pitching the tent with my nephew, Owen…June 18th, Owen using several useful pegs to keep the tent grounded…June 18th, tent set up and didn’t blow away in the gusty weather…
DAY 19: SECOND DAY OF ‘BIG CAMP OUT’ + ORCA WATCH ALONG COASTLINE!
June 19th, wild orchid…June 19th, iris…June 19th…June 19th, poppy…
Hoping for a sighting of an orca, but sadly no luck this time…
June 19th, north sea coastline…June 19th, guillemots galore!June 19th, no orca spotted, but this fellow popped up…June 19th, a seal doing some ‘people watching’…
DAY 20: READING A BOOK OUTDOORS
June 20th: My reading of a portion of page 11, ‘A Canny Countryside’ by John Horne…
I own a 2nd edition of ‘A Canny Countryside’ which was written by John Horne and features wonderful articulated descriptions of this local area, including the Whaligoe Steps. (Published in 1902, Oliphant Anderson and Ferrier, Edinburgh and London).
June 20th, Whaligoe Steps…
Thank you only always for your time and I hope you have enjoyed the wildlife so far. One more blog which will summarise ’30 Days Wild’ for June 21st to June 30th is to follow, plus a blog about the residential car parking and my near-miss as a car nearly ran me over on the pavement outside my front door!
So June has arrived rather quickly, or is it just me?! With the presence of this month comes a wealth of activity which I shall share with your good self. Pull up a seat and make yourself ready with cosy attire and a warm beverage of your choice as I divulge the latest…
June 1st, 2022…June 1st, 2022…June 1st, 2022…The Stonemason plaque…
The above photos were all taken on the 1st of June, 2022 when I descended the Whaligoe Steps in the early hours. There were several reasons for my trek.
Firstly, the Stonemason is working on the Whaligoe Steps during the next six weeks or so. This maintenance is a continuation of Charlie’s valiant work last year.
The photos show you hessian sacks which are cut and shaped to make a covering for specific sections of the steps. There were two examples of this at the time I was present. The Stonemason explained that lime was used at this stage of the proceedings which can be hazardous or an issue to people and pets. With this in mind, please be aware that if and when you visit this attraction, that you need to make yourself aware of potential hazards. Please be safe.
This sign is located at the top of the Whaligoe Steps and has been there for several years…
Secondly, a fun month of wildlife and nature appreciation and education unfolds which everyone and anyone is welcome to participate in. Known simply as “30 Days Wild” and promoted by The Wildlife Trusts | The Wildlife Trusts and Scottish Wildlife Trust – Protecting and restoring Scotland’s wildlife it sets out an activity for every day of this month. So with the arrival of June and located on the coastline as Whaligoe Steps is, you can imagine the natural scope for surprises and discoveries!
Last year I succeeded in participating for about two weeks before I started a new job and had to cease my natural pursuits. During that fortnight, each and every day provided educational insights and bug bites! I filmed a clip of a young deer (which frustratingly I cannot lay my hands on right now) which was an amazing moment I will always treasure. So, with 2022 turning into an interesting year, I’m sharing each day via social media if you’re interested.
I would like to have a document on this website as it is themed around this location, so will work out a way to showcase photographs and video clips as the material gathers momentum.
Here is day one for you to process. The idea was to celebrate nature with a ‘wild breakfast’ experience. Photographs of my toast and marmalade with a coffee at various points dotted around Whaligoe Steps.
30 Days Wild: Wild Breakfast…30 Days Wild: Wild Breakfast…30 Days Wild: Wild Breakfast…
Only another twenty-nine days to go, wish me luck!
If I’m watching a television series and there is a gap between watching the episodes, I find myself thankful when the creators of such a show provide a recap. That magical reminder of the characters and their story arc, the prompt to pick up where I left off whilst watching avidly on prior occasions.
So here it is for those of you who are new to the “Whaligoe Eye” project (and there has been a significant increase of visitors to this humble website), covering life on and around the remarkable Whaligoe Steps, here in the north Highlands of Scotland.
This recap also applies to those who have dropped by in the past thanks to my coverage of Stonemasonry undertaken by Charles Juhlenski on the Steps; the blogs covering my thirteen day monitoring of a grey seal pup here at Whaligoe Steps; the coverage of ongoing congestion and overwhelming traffic issues which have plagued the local infrastructure here causing a significant amount of anxiety and stress for visitors and locals alike, or general curiosity after the welcome social media interest in my poetry and promotion of this website.
Although the history of Whaligoe Steps can be dated back via documented sources to around 1640, the Steps we can witness at the time of this blog entry are commonly associated to the sterling investment of Captain David Brodie. He commissioned around 330 Caithness flagstones to be set in the cliff face to provide a robust pathway down to what is known as the Bink, which is situated at the base of the zig-zagging descent. The year most commonly associated with Captain Brodie and his intent on creating a better walkway is around 1791.
I’m not going to enter into a whole chronological history lesson right now, that can wait for the book which I’m researching and constantly working on. Just know that living here for over thirty years, I count my blessings being entertained, stimulated and marvelling at the world around me regarding Whaligoe Steps. So let me take this opportunity to share the story thus far dating back only a few months when I kickstarted this modest blogging website.
(Social media screenshot) Coverage at the time of the dangerous numbers of visitors overwhelmed the immediate infrastructure at Whaligoe Steps
Due to the frustrating lack of acknowledgement by the Highland Council to the plight facing residents and visitors to Whaligoe Steps over the past five years (!), I took the plunge and paid for this website in August, 2021. For one reason or another, nobody else was in a situation locally to provide a sensible and socially aware approach to bringing attention to the evident health and safety risks of residents and visitors here.
After being informed by other residents of constant minor vehicle-related incidents in the residents carpark, or near misses to pedestrians in relation to the significant increase to traffic either mounting the kerb, or trying to negotiate a singular access point which was not built for purpose of this magnitude, I decided to do something about it! The proverbial cherry on top of the cake arrived nearly a year prior, when in September, 2020, my outer wall was knocked down by an impressive sized campervan! My stress levels hit an all time high.
Residents carpark totally full in August, 2021 – No space for residents or anyone wishing to visit residents…
As of the middle of January, 2022, I’m sad to update one and all with how nothing has changed regarding this specific concern. Mind you, in fairness to the Highland Council they did eventually provide a well-used dustbin for refuse collection as we had at that point no facilities other than a yellow grit bin! The rubbish bin is a silver lining to what has been a huge disappointment thus far.
I took a screenshot of a relevant online meeting the Highland Council orchestrated regarding significant increases to tourism in the Highlands and the impacts thereof. This meeting was held on September 29th (2021) and apart from their back-slapping over providing wardens to assess and data-collect, they also recognised that lessons in social media would be beneficial.
Despite only one local Councillor venturing out to meet me and discuss or listen to my woes, I have emailed all others from the local Ward to no avail. The warden I witnessed on a couple of occasions who visited the carpark and immediate area when no traffic and disruption was unfolding, made no overtures of communication or data-collection from myself or those who I have spoken with.
Sharing this with you is surprisingly cathartic, so I extend my humble thanks to you for listening.
So the first blog entry was on August the 15th, 2021, reporting on the chaos of another year busy with visitors to Whaligoe Steps, and tales of being unable to park in allocated spaces as they were full. As the days rolled by in a blur of constant monitoring and anxiety, the website began to take on other elements of what makes this community so interesting and precious.
Photo taken thanks to a trip with Caithness Seacoast in 2021… From the perspective of the north sea looking under the Bink.
There was a trip taken with Caithness Seacoast in 2021 which added to the learning curve regarding the relationship of Whaligoe Steps in context to the coastline leading to Wick. During this time I was learning about the abundant wildlife around Whaligoe Steps, and raising awareness regarding the ominous situation on my doorstep with congestion and volume of visitors by talking to some local newspapers…
Another highlight for me was getting the opportunity to talk to the Stonemason Charles Juhlenski and see him at work. For several months he worked hard repairing and maintaining a couple of flights from the total of six which make up Whaligoe Steps.
Before the end of 2021, on my regular treks down the Steps I was privileged to discover a baby grey seal on the pebble shore. For thirteen days I monitored the transition as the white fur gave way to a grey coat, and the general confidence the pup developed as it became aware of its surroundings. Two blogs covered this experience and even now I am so warm-hearted by the whole encounter.
Baby grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Me with a salvage of plastic pollution
Baby grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) – One of my last photos of a grey seal pup after monitoring it for 13 days…
I think that will do for what was supposed to be a condensed recap of the past few months here at Whaligoe Steps.
The positive feedback and support from local folk as well as those beautiful people from around the globe, from Australia to Africa, Canada and the U.S., to many other interesting parts of the Earth, have been at times sincerely overwhelming. I thank you one and all.
It would be remiss of me not to say that your continued support simply visiting and reading some of the content; following the various social media enterprises associated with this website; and those who subscribed to this venture via the online form, are very much appreciated and add to the unity of cultural insight and awareness of this area of the Highlands coastline in Scotland. You also get to peek behind a curtain and relate to community impact in the face of a perceived apathy and uncomfortable political situation. I share my humble gratitude with you and look forward to sharing more of this unfolding true story with you.
This year, 2022, is looking like it will be one truly insane time! Where unassuming visitors and residents already battle-weary, will be confronting another dangerous and chaotic arena of feverish activities. Not only is access for emergency services in question, but sadly the constant call for updates within the infrastructure here to cater for toilet facilities, better signage, safer conditions for pedestrians, better parking allocation, and perhaps some communication/transparency from the Highland Council with the residents regarding intentions or plans which may be ahead.
Be assured that it’s my intention to continue working on updates for this website throughout 2022. Covering as much of the evolving landscape, wildlife, revealing the history as I research it, and capturing the carnage which is to follow as the months creep forward.
Thank You again, you’re amazing. Take care and stay safe.
In passing when I’ve been talking with visitors to Whaligoe Steps, I occasionally get asked about what it is like living here during the winter season. Looking through my photographs of Whaligoe Steps taken over the years, I didn’t find any really good ones which showcased a visual for the winter season.
Today, I corrected the oversight as I watched hail, sleet and gentle snow flurries grace the landscape from the evening of January 3rd, continuing intermittently throughout the morning of the 4th.
Take my hand as we tentatively negotiate the slippery Steps from the top down to the Bink…
We begin our descent proper of the Whaligoe Steps… (January 4th, 2022)
It was a little slippery underfoot, as the descent took place accompanied by a light breeze and a crispy cold ambience.
First flight of Whaligoe Steps… (January 4th, 2022)
On this specific trek over the snow covered steps, I noticed how prominent the presence of the winter covering was on the higher flights than the sets of steps further down. Remember, there are six flights of steps which zig-zag down the cliff face making up the Whaligoe Steps.
Second flight of Whaligoe Steps… (January 4th, 2022)
The north sea gets darker with the wintery weather and provides a pleasant contrast on the eye.
Third flight of Whaligoe Steps (January 4th, 2022)
These sets of Whaligoe Steps were given a makeover by the Stonemason Charles Juhlenski during several months of 2021…
(January 4th, 2022)
As the fourth flight of Whaligoe Steps (photograph directly above this text) reaches its end, at the time of the blog post the steps are in a precarious state of disrepair with some specific examples now wobbling significantly. (Please be aware if you read this at the time of the blog post being published for obvious safety reasons).
Fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps (January 4th, 2022)
At this stage of my descent, I noticed how the north sea breeze and perhaps the shelter from the landscape were disrupting the snow from settling as much.
Sixth and final flight… (January 4th, 2022)
We made it! The Bink welcomes us after we cautiously trekked down the Whaligoe Steps…
