The bid to build a new wheelchair-friendly path to the tip of Chanonry Point in the Black Isle was revealed in the week that Highland Council officials and representatives from the nearby golf course met to discuss a solution to the parking chaos at the dolphin watching spot.

Thousands of tourists flock to Chanonry Point in the Black Isle each year to catch a glimpse of the famous bottlenosed dolphins.

The narrow sand path which runs from the busy car park to the point is currently unsuitable for wheelchairs and means that many disabled visitors cannot reach the prime viewing spot.

The car park can also be unsuitable for wheelchair access at peak times as it has limited parking for 30 cars, but can attract up to 100 vehicles at the height of the tourist season.

The parking chaos blocks householders in their homes and has led to vehicles churning up the greens at the golf course.

Now the Cheshire House Muskeeters — a group of wheelchair-users who work together to improve access and facilities for all disabled people in the Highlands — has started to look into establishing a new walkway to the picnic benches at the scenic spot by the firth.

The Musketeers, who have notched up campaigning successes since they formed a year ago, have already carried out research into making the site more accessible.

They are also making efforts to identify and contact the owners of the land around the lighthouse in Fortrose.

Kenny Shand, the spokesman for the group, told the Journal they would love to see a path right up to where the picnic benches are at the point.

"Nobody in wheelchairs can get along to the point to see the dolphins," he said.

Members of the Cheshire House Musketeers who are campaigning for wheelchair access to Chanonry Point.

He added that most people park their cars, walk behind the lighthouse and follow a path to the picnic benches. However, the fact the path is sandy means wheelchair users can't get out of the car park to the spot which is generally accepted to be the best place in Europe to see dolphins.

"There are several residents and services users at Cheshire House and it would be a really nice place for them to go to," he said.

He is hopeful that if consent is granted they may be able to persuade organisations and companies to donate the materials and the manpower to create the new path.

Kenny, a disabled volunteer at Cheshire House in Inverness, who is a wheelchair user, explained the group was set up a a year ago to look at issues which could benefit disabled people.

They have already been successful in having drop kerbs introduced around Inverness and have persuaded Inverness Caledonian Thistle to raise the area for wheelchair spectators to give them a better view of the pitch.

Highland Councillor Billy Barclay told the Journal that representatives from Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club met with officials from Highland Council TECs services this week to discuss plans to upgrade the car park.

He said it was hoped that a new bus bay would be established, and in the meantime signs would go up at the site advising bus drivers that the area as a passenger drop off point only.

Councillor Barclay said that disabled access was another problem issue at the site and he would be willing to work with the group to bring about improvements.

Anyone who wants to help the group with their campaign should visit www.disabilityhelp-scotland.co.uk

l.bradshaw@rsjournal.co.uk

Chanonry Point.

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