Tag: congestion

Welcome to part 24 documenting my daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps. This fortnight covers Monday, March 18th up to and including Sunday, March 31st, 2024.

My intention is to tackle three hundred and sixty five consecutive trips around this region of the northern Scottish coastline, photographing and documenting the changing of the seasons, and to get a better insight into what it must have been like for the fishing industry and general life within this picturesque location over the previous centuries.

There were plenty of ‘new-to-2024’ moments this couple of weeks, like primrose blossoming, Eider duck swimming, pied wagtail in snow or a sighting of a rock pipit among other delights. As usual, I have photographs and also a couple of small clips to share.

March 18th, 2024: Sunlight shimmers on the tides.

Birdlife at Whaligoe Steps is rejoicing in the humble beginnings of Spring. Below is a windswept gull taking in a view.

March 19th, 2024: Clouds formed to create such varying canvas for light. Silhouettes found opportunities to spread their wings.

March 20th, 2024: A fulmar plays peek-a-boo to a clear blue sky, whilst a fishing boat slips by almost unnoticed behind a foreground of daffodils.

March 21st, 2024: Primroses are popping up in the grass and vegetation around Whaligoe Steps. These splashes of colour and vibrancy really add to the ambience of spring.

The moon on this Thursday evening was serene.

March 22nd, 2024: A silhouette whispers to a backdrop of overcast sky.

Below, you can also see the generous flow of the top section of the waterfall. During this fortnight, it has been chilled by a cold spell, windswept and soaked in sunshine.

March 23rd, 2024: Mute your volume for the clip before you play it. Blustery conditions while standing 250 feet up from the North Sea, panning along the horizon from the South section of the coastline view to eventually end up at the waterfall.

March 24th, 2024: On my ascent and wrapping up another daily trek, I suddenly became aware of a beautiful birdsong. During my first daily treks in 2023 tackling what seemed like an impossible challenge, a feathered friend kept me company.

Below, is my first encounter in 2024 of the wee wren which frequents this part of the coastline.

March 25th, 2024: Another fulmar looks on during a chilly morning trek.

There have been some beautiful moon-related moments during this fortnight in late March, and on this occasion I had my camera handy. A bright moon shines above some fluffy cloud formations which add personality to the lights which litter the distant horizon.

March 26th, 2024: What a Tuesday morning this one proved to be! I ventured onwards during a snowfall and was successful in capturing a moment with a local pied wagtail, as primrose felt burdened by the frozen tears of a brief winter flurry.

The sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps which descends directly onto the Bink, communicated the lightweight tone of this last gasp of freezing weather.

March 27th, 2024: Within a few hours, the snow had melted. During a wet Wednesday I was spoilt by the appearance of a skipping rock pipit.

In conjunction with birdwatching, the view was sporadically distracted with primrose flowers bursting through the rustic landscape.

March 28th, 2024: Eider duck according the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, are the heaviest and fastest flying ducks in the United Kingdom – Eider Duck Facts | Somateria Mollissima (rspb.org.uk)

Also below, an example of some waves reaching upwards to grab sunlight.

March 29th, 2024: It really was a ‘Good Friday’, with a radiant daffodil and a couple of contented rabbits enjoying the beginning of an Easter weekend.

Happy Easter!

March 30th, 2024: Plenty of early morning sunshine compliments the wildlife and flowers. Beautiful bloom and glowing plumage.

Visitors were certainly out and about around Whaligoe Steps as minor congestion built up outside my window. My parking space was used by those who needed it, and there was an active and positive atmosphere in the air.

March 31st, 2024: Easter Sunday began with a beautiful sunrise, as the moon was off to my right. It’s such a special ambience when both the sun and the moon come out to play simultaneously.

I wasn’t the only spectator who had the good fortune to witness this sunrise…

So that’s another fortnight covering my daily trek challenge, as I walk down and around Whaligoe Steps. Aiming for 365 consecutive days of documenting my findings and observations. Spring has most certainly arrived, and there are many examples of wildlife and flora showing signs of new life around these parts.

There are more signs of life on the North Sea too, as the tides are calmer and the sun is brighter.

Traffic in the car park and the only access point has significantly increased, so please keep that in mind if you’re planning to visit.

Thought I’d share this observation from March 31st. Not only more vehicles on the roads around here and in the North Sea with boating activity, but also an aeroplane or two in the sky.

Before I leave you with this blog entry, if you have a moment I filmed a relaxing clip as I sat on the pebble shore with the tide out. In the foreground are rock pools as your eye travels out to sea…

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Notice: This blog entry is going to focus on the infrastructure issue which some people are still unaware of here at Whaligoe Steps. When you visit Whaligoe Steps, you may well encounter congestion, frustration, logistical challenges and many other things.

What will you find if you visit Whaligoe Steps during busy times?

You’ll find a residential car park designed with residential activity in mind. This consists of eleven parking spaces in total with a modest lane running alongside a pavement utilised by pedestrians as the only access point.

The authorities (Highland Council) are aware of the congestion, frustration and the need for creating a better and more suitable infrastructure here. Thanks to a government funding scheme directed at tourism, the Highland Council have reviewed at length their budgetary requirements and allocated £90,000 for investment in increasing the car park size here in Ulbster.

This was part of an ambitious plan incorporating a great many sites and situations in other areas too. As a consequence, it will take from the time of this blog entry, anywhere within the next four years or so.

Yes indeed, that means currently there will remain further possible property damage, vehicle damage, frustration and congestion and generally unwelcome feelings being negotiated by both residents and visitors alike.

Let’s have a pause before we head into photographic evidence of the traffic activity here, and realise that the Highland Council are doing what they can with what they have. A Council Ranger periodically drops by and picks up litter around the car park and monitors things. Below, they tackle some of their chores.

Pot holes which were becoming prolific due to the traffic, and wear and tear of the lane. These have been attended to. Some light to the shade.

I was thrilled to hear from a representative for a Member of Parliament (MP) recently who really had a good grasp on the infrastructure issues here. It was somewhat comforting that despite the Highland Council not communicating with me about anything, that someone else was quite happy to converse about the situation.

There are no facilities here for visitors/tourists. You may witness an individual in need of a toilet and this can create awkward situations, as with the above example caught for posterity via a security camera.

The above photograph is the car park completely full and the campervan closest is going to end up reversing candidly due to the lack of space. The principle of cause and effect is going to be most evident. Only eleven spaces, and a constant stream of vehicles coming and going is bringing about congestion, frustration and hampering the experience of driving to a popular location.

Being a resident is also stressful. Traffic cones are set out to protect spaces which has proved futile.

The residential lane runs along the front of the properties here. It was never designed for the traffic flow which currently takes place due to tourist promotion and the increasing popularity of the Whaligoe Steps.

The Whaligoe Steps are situated on private land but have public access rights. So keep in mind if you owned the land, what sort of cost would it take to make them safe for visitors and tourists who wish to walk down and around them.

Fancy investing an amazing amount of money creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone coming here? Examples to make it a safer environment for all may include netting to keep overhanging cliffs safer?, providing fencing and barriers across a vast expanse of coastal terrain to provide safer infrastructure for unaware visitors. Constantly maintain the six zig-zagging flights of stone steps so they’re safe to walk on. Maybe with hand rails to assist mobility throughout the 250 feet drop from the top of the cliffs too? Provide toilet facilities and cater to those who set up tents and camp overnight?…

The reason I ventured into making a website regarding life down and around Whaligoe Steps in the first place was due to a need for raising awareness. These included issues of safety concerns, recognition for the increase in visitor numbers which impact residents, each other, vehicles and property in this location.

On July 11th, 2023, part of my outer wall was knocked down (again!) by an unsuspecting visitor. Stress therefore on the unsuspecting traveller and on me. Please be mindful of the car park being designed for local residents, and also be aware of the lack in health and safety, facilities and the surrounding environment.

Thankfully, my sister found a note left by the visitor, and we hope to get things resolved in due course.

Just a reminder of earlier times regarding the traffic issues captured in archive photographs which showcase my concerns, as I talk with visitors and residents about the unsettled nature of the busy months around this region in these present times too. Thus far, nothing has changed, just plans made and motions behind the scenes to improve things as logistically as possible.

Here are some sights captured by a security camera in recent weeks…

A quick comparison for you if you’re not familiar with this location. A sensible and contained photo of a parking space where visitors are walking in a relaxed manner (on your left as you look below) – Then another photo showing me doing a vigil of my outer wall surrounded by traffic (on your right as you peruse below).

Whilst walking home after a shift at work, I heard clearly a resident raise his voice and explain to someone how we need the pot holes looked at and the car park isn’t an issue. I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea.

Well, the Highland Council have dealt with the pot holes around here and I think they’re in the loop with the congestion and evident traffic issues.

When I hear this local individual say out loud how things are not going to change, I cannot help but wonder why they’re so negative? The individual concerned even holds up the traffic adding hindrance to what is already quite a fragile situation.

I try my very best to share positivity where and when I can. That’s another reason why this blog entry was so difficult to declare. I enjoy the natural beauty here and the historical discoveries I’m uncovering as I research in the background, so it saddens me to present a blog with such observation.

There are so many reasons to remain hopeful, and I will remain vigilant in the face of further possible intimidation, to share my daily challenge taking photographs of nature and interesting observations down and around Whaligoe Steps.

Thank you to YOU for your generosity of time and understanding. The next blog entry will be coverage of another fortnight of my treks down and around Whaligoe Steps. The sunrises and mayweed are keeping me company in conjunction with a rustic and versatile ambience.

Take care and stay safe.

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Books are fabulous! One downside though of possessing books in these recent times which I feel slightly conflicted about sharing, is how they accumulate to the point of invading precious physical space. I need more room for stuff!

The reason for mentioning this topic is on a sunny morning I put out a box of books at the top of the Whaligoe Steps for visitors to take. Giving them away for free was an interesting experience and you may have thought that I would have seen the entire batch removed. You thought wrong.

As I observed visitors which had turned out in respectable number sauntering around the area here, it became apparent that the congestion issue was still highly relevant. At the time of this blog, it may be at the halfway point of September, but visitors are still making the most of their spare time by experiencing the Whaligoe Steps.

The Highland Council at the time of this blog still say there are no plans to extend the car park.

Thanks to Kirstin Tait Kirstin Tait – Journalist – Home | Facebook of the ‘Press and Journal’ for the recent coverage – Home – Press and Journal