Tag: Property damage

Welcome back, and welcome to another year – 2025.

This blog entry hopes to bring you updates regarding a few points of interest which have taken place around Whaligoe Steps since my last blog on June 2nd, 2024 – Misty Magic of Success and Sorrow – Whaligoe Eye

*** BE AWARE*** that the residential car park is not designed as yet, for the volume of traffic which visit this local landmark. When the sun is shining or roughly from Saturday through to Tuesday (late April through to September), it can periodically get VERY busy!

The photos above show that on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, the evident volume of visitors to Whaligoe Steps. Not only were they parking in the residential car park, but also overflowing down an access lane and on grass verges due to lack of infrastructure. Please be aware of the time you visit and the various frustrations which may be encountered.

The reason I took the plunge with this humble blogging website, was to raise awareness for visitors and the Highland Council regarding how precarious and even dangerous things were getting due to the lack of unsuitable immediate infrastructure.

Above, are two photographs showing remains of a local resident’s outer wall which is located directly beside the residential car park area. The first impact by a campervan (Photo on the right) took the entire outer wall down (September 6th, 2020), while the second occasion (photo on your left) took place when a small van knocked down a partial section (July 11th, 2023)…

On September 16th, 2024, a silver car driven by a visitor to Whaligoe Steps collided with a metal gate which is right beside a local home wall…

This is the THIRD incident of property damage to be experienced due to an inadequate infrastructure here. Please be aware, and please be careful.

The latest I heard from Janet McEwan (dated October 9th, 2024) (Councillor Jan McEwan | 03 Wick and East Caithness Ward | Scottish Liberal Democrats Party | The Highland Council), is that “…there is ongoing considerations regarding extending the car park and re-routing the entrance road” plus adding, “This is still at early stages…”

Since August, 2022, the Highland Council have been sitting on £90,000 of tourist related funding from the government. They stated it would take up to five years in which to determine how best to spend it and to resolve this issue.

Now for something completely different…

When you visit the Whaligoe Steps for a moment of exercise, just a few yards further along the A99 heading toward Wick, Caithness, you’ll see to your right a field with alpacas quite possibly.

Home – Ulbster Alpaca Trekking

Last year, I had the opportunity and the pleasure to visit this wonderful local alpaca farm. A wonderful experience for my family and I. We were treated to a friendly insight and a depth of knowledge regarding all of the animals in this very hospitable site. Highly recommended.

If you do make an appointment and choose to take the family to Ulbster Alpaca Trekking, then share some creativity before you leave. (There were so many delightful hearts displayed on a wall beside where we were able to buy some souvenirs).

*****************************************************************************

Below, a photograph of a pile of wood…

Why share a photograph showcasing a pile of curious wood?

Well, let me tell you. The folk at John O’ Groats Trail have been busy since my last blog post. For those who wish to know more about this trail and all the benefits of such a journey along the coastline in the outdoors, their website can be found here: The John o’ Groats Trail – Coastal Walking Route from Inverness to John o’ Groats

Meet Andy, or as I called him, Handy Andy! The above photo was captured on June 17th, 2024.

Andy worked over many visits designing and building a wooden walkway through a gully, located at the top of Whaligoe Steps. Below are some photographs I took, beginning on April 12th, 2024…

Really impressive skills were incorporated along with experience by Andy in this welcome aid for visitors, who may now venture along the top of where Whaligoe Steps is situated and follow a trail which leads to spectacular views. (Not just coastline scenery, but also the streamlined waterfall which is hidden behind some coastal rocky cliff face).

This waterfall was given some attention by Sir Billy Connolly during his visit for the BBC during the 90s. He said something along the lines of “It’s the only waterfall I’ve seen which goes up the way!”

The above image shows the waterfall before the new walkway was completed. My photo was taken on April 20th, 2024.

***********************************************************************************

Another reminder of health and safety related aspects concerning this landmark.

Let me share the above clip with you.

On September 26th, 2024, a security camera picked up this wee bit of footage as emergency vehicles were leaving in the aftermath of an accident down the Whaligoe Steps.

There were a couple of local news orientated web sources which covered this incident. Here’s a link to one of those sites, the Press and Journal: Person rescued after 30-feet cliff fall at beauty spot near Wick

Thank you to those who reached out around this time, wondering if the man who had fallen whilst trying to climb at the Whaligoe Steps was me. My activity is generally of the trekking variety when it comes to this local region, so I can reassure folk it wasn’t me.

**********************************************************************************

Before I sign off, I took the photo below on February 13th, 2025… In the sunshine, a little feathered flair from Whaligoe Steps.

Thanks as always for reading this and checking out photos, etc… Thank you also for your interest and invaluable time. It all means a lot and I appreciate you.

Email: WhaligoeEye@gmail.com

Whaligoe Eye on FACEBOOK: (20+) Facebook

Whaligoe Eye on X: (2) Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X

Gary (personal X account): (18) Home / X

Thank you for your company and precious time as you join me for a trek down and around Whaligoe Steps every day for twelve months.

Yes, a way to capture a moment or moments for every day of the year in a location which boasts wildlife, beautiful wildflowers, rich coastal history and interesting characters – from May 1st, 2023 and hoping to eventually reach May 1st, 2024.

The photo of the moon above was a wonderful point as I glanced upwards during my morning trek on Monday, 10th of July, 2023. At that moment I had no idea what was going to transpire over the next fortnight and what would end up being published in this next chapter, sharing the world down and around Whaligoe Steps.

The last four days from Wednesday, the 19th of July, 2023 to Saturday, 22nd of July, 2023… The time of year for visiting Whaligoe Steps is well and truly upon us. I’ll explain why I’m sharing this abundance in traffic here in the tranquil landscape of Caithness in a moment as I share each day from the 10th of July to the 23rd of July during my attempt at walking down and around the ‘Steps for a whole year. Suffice to say that a lot of traffic descending on an area which was designed for a handful of residents is going to have some sort of fallout.

July 10th, 2023: During a mild sunrise on this specific Monday morning, all seemed calm. Jackdaw spotted surveying the scenery from a fence post.

Much later in the day, during the evening I observed plenty of boats moving around on the North Sea from Whaligoe Steps. This cruise liner I believe is German.

July 11th, 2023: During my trek in the morning I negotiated a drizzly beginning of the day. Sadly, things got worse when I arrived home in the evening to find my outer wall had been destroyed (again!) I believe the security camera image in the middle shows someone who may know a lot about how my wall was knocked down.

The reason why I leapt in and made a website called WhaligoeEye.co.uk was because nobody was doing anything about the large volume of visitors to the area. The infrastructure was designed for the residential area and is maintained by the Highland Council. Due to the significant increase in traffic and presence of people, my outer wall has been knocked down twice now, I’ve nearly been run over, and many other examples you can imagine living with such a situation have taken place.

It’s very stressful living here, yet also very beautiful too.

July 12th, 2023: I found the trek the following morning rather cathartic. Cloudy and calm, wet and wild.

July 13th, 2023: Cliff face which overlooks the Whaligoe Steps. It is roughly 250 feet up from the North Sea. The other photograph shows that despite being just over eight miles from the mainland coastline, the Beatrice wind farm is still quite visible.

July 14th, 2023: During this month I noticed the razorbills and guillemots had departed this bit of the northern Scottish coastline, and also how the young shags were keen to spread their wings and move further out to sea. Despite the abundant wildflowers starting to disappear from view, there were still splashes of colour to find among the vibrant green shades.

July 15th, 2023: I stumbled across a dandelion which was alone, yet full of life. As my trek on that particular Saturday morning continued, I found myself on the far side looking across at the slim but steady waterfall. Sir Billy Connolly made a joke about the waterfall back in the 90s, saying something akin to “It’s the only waterfall I’ve seen that goes up the way!”

July 16th, 2023: Mustn’t forget about the wild rabbits around here. Also on Whaligoe Steps when the rain has been busy, you may see plenty of snails lurking along the verges. In this instant, I witnessed one actually negotiating the Whaligoe Steps. I’m not a snail expert but I pride myself on being an individual who keeps learning all the time. After some research, I believe the snail is a white-lipped snail (Capaea hortensis).

July 17th, 2023: Local resident moggy, Star, is a welcome companion, but since May 1st, 2023 when I took it upon myself to try out this challenge, the singing wren has also been most enjoyable. In full song in the photograph below. Also, wearing a delicate coat of raindrops and possibly dew too, a wild rose which grows right alongside a flight of the ‘Steps.

July 18th, 2023: Below is an example of the young shags getting more courageous and venturing further out within the North Sea. At this time of entering my blog, I can say that this morning I only witnessed three lone young shags on a rocky island. Maybe the others have now left?

The other photograph is a moment where the the gushing water right at the top of Whaligoe Steps is approaching the point where it descends down the cliff face. If you look at July 15th, that’s the point where the water just drops into the North Sea, but just before that point you can see the momentum as it negotiates the wild flora.

July 19th, 2023: A slightly wet and gloomy Wednesday morning trek which provided me with a fabulous opportunity to photograph a great black-backed gull quite closely. Also, during a muted sunrise, I noticed how the fire speckled artistically behind some wild vegetation.

July 20th, 2023: The sunrise on the morning of the 20th here at Whaligoe Steps was delightful. The rabbits certainly enjoyed it as they were out and about with a flurry.

July 21st, 2023: During these later days of July I’ve noticed the newer thistles bursting into flower and looking rather striking at the top of the ‘Steps. The other photograph is of a gull chick. They’re becoming more courageous too and seem to be growing up at a hasty rate.

July 22nd, 2023: The remaining boat winch has a presence here at Whaligoe Steps. There was at least one other back in the day, when this was a bustling harbour during the successful herring fisheries.

Mayweed has stayed true as the daffodils and other flowers have gone over. This large daisy-looking wildflower really provides the environment with some personality.

July 23rd, 2023: This very morning (Sunday, when I’m assembling this blog for you), the sunrise was very curious. Cloud formations made the light fierce in one specific part of the sky. As it settled, I then witnessed it glisten on the surface of the North Sea ripples.

There you have it, another fortnight of moments captured on each of the days from the 10th of July, to the 23rd of July, 2023.

If you’re wondering about my outer wall, the question is really about whether it’s worthwhile spending money and time getting it rebuilt (again) only for another visitor to crash into it? If you’re new to this story, then let me also remind you that the Highland Council relatively recently advised they were investing £90,000 in expanding the residential car park here which will most certainly make a difference.

The sooner they can get on with the job in hand, the better for my mental health.

I’ll sign off with positive wishes and gratitude to you and yours, until the next fortnight when I hope to continue my challenge incorporating images from each and every day. Maybe more boats from the coastline, or stunning views, wonderful wildlife, breath-taking beauty, stories of adventure?

Take care and be safe.

TWITTER: Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / Twitter

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

TWITTER (Gary): Gary (@floodland08) / Twitter

EMAIL: WhaligoeEye@gmail.com