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Footpath and pontoon proposal up for discussion in Black Isle community of North Kessock


By Louise Glen

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The North Kessock Ticket Office Project (NKTOP) will discuss its proposals with the community. Picture: Callum Mackay
The North Kessock Ticket Office Project (NKTOP) will discuss its proposals with the community. Picture: Callum Mackay

Plans for a community path and pontoons are to be discussed with the community in North Kessock.

The idea, proposed by the North Kessock Ticket Office Project (NKTOP) team, would see the development of a circular walk linking the foreshore to the woodland area below the car park at Harry Gow’s Bakery and the creation of small pontoons at one of the three locations.

NKTOP chairwoman Maggie Macdonald, has confirmed the group have secured a £9000 Scottish Land Fund grant to explore possibilities of buying land currently owned by the Kessock Estate to bring it into community use.

Ms MacDonald said: "It is our intention to carry out a full community-wide survey to seek the community’s views on acquiring the land and asking the community what they think the land could be used for.

"Two projects which might benefit local residents and visitors may be a circular walk linking the foreshore to the woodland area below the car park at Harry Gow’s.

"Another might be the creation of small pontoons at one of the three locations."

She continued: "This month we will be delivering a flyer to every household in the village with links to the survey and details about how people can receive a hard copy if they are not online.

"This research does not commit NKTOP to any project, only to test the community’s support or otherwise for the principle of acquiring the land for future community use.

"To reassure all local residents, this is only a stage one application to determine if there is community support for this.

"If it does not receive community support, it will not progress.

She added: "We will also further want to reassure resident that we do not plan to remove any trees, other than those that have been identified as dead or unsafe.

"We have already received some helpful feedback from residents, and we would like to reassure them that this will be a trail through woodland rather than a hard path, and privacy for householders will be paramount to the plans going forward.

"But as we have said it is up to the residents what they would like to see progress to improve the area."

Knockbain Community Council chairman John Stott said: "We would like to have been consulted at an early stage about this application to the Scottish Land Fund, as a statutory consultee.

"We found out about the path and pontoon project when one of the householders found someone taking photographs in their garden.

"Communication and consultation will be key to making this ambitious project work, and for it to find acceptance in the community.

"I was advised of the project as part of the community action plan, and not as a member of NKTOP, but I am very glad this has now been rectified."
He added: "Several members of the public have made representation to the community council as the plans with significantly impact them as householders."


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