Community puts best foot forward to support Six Harbour Walk
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TIMES may be hard, but that did not stop the local community – and those from further afield – turning out to support Sunday's Six Harbour Walk.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Buckie, this was the first walk to be held fully free of Covid restrictions, last year's event being subject to pandemic regulations in force at the time.
It was time for pastures new in terms of the event's base of operations, with the Boys' Brigade new premises at One Marchmont Business Centre taking over the role from the South and West Church.
The 15-mile route got under way at Portsoy Harbour, wending its way along the coastal path to the beach at Sandend before cutting across the headland to the site of the former salmon bothy at Cullen. Walkers then headed across Cullen beach and up on to the cliffs at Portknockie, passing the Bow Fiddle rock, before descending to the harbour at Findochty. The last part of the walk followed the coast through Strathlene into Buckie.
A shorter route was also available, beginning at Cullen.
The walkers were joined on the waves of the Moray Firth by St Ayles skiffs from Cullen, Findochty, Catterline, Collieston, Whitehills, Portsoy, Lossiemouth, Burghead, Findhorn, Nairn and Avoch who rowed from Portsoy to Buckie via Sandend, Cullen, Portknockie and Findochty.
Six Harbour Walk co-convener Heather Pirie said the organising team were delighted with the response at a time when many people's household budgets were being squeezed by the cost of living crisis.
She said: "It was a great day, we're all really delighted with how it went.
"We had 200 walkers taking part, which is slightly up on last year's total. There was a complete mix of local walkers and those coming from outwith the area.
"It was a drizzly start but the day got better as it went on, many of the walkers said they enjoyed the conditions. The course as fine, too. We had slightly alter the route at Findlater at the last minute due to illness but the diversion was slight.
"Everybody we've spoken to seems to be very positive – it was all smiles and everyone was very cheery.
"This was our first year at One Marchmont and it's gone very well. We've returned to our roots, in a way, as the Six Harbour Walk originally started from the Drifter.
"The money raised will be distributed in the form of small grants to local good causes, so we'd love to hear from groups who would be interesting applying for funding."
Mrs Pirie also paid tribute to all of the volunteers who turned out on the day to make the event possible, including: 1st Buckie Company Boys' Brigade; Seafield Estate; the skiff crews who took part; Elgin Rotary; Buckie Christmas Lights Committee; Friends of Buckie Rotary; Ladies from 1st Buckie Company BBs; Ladies from Findochty Church of Scotland; Allan Robertson, photography.
All walkers who are eligible are encouraged to gift aid their donations, which means that Buckie Rotary back can claim back an extra 25p from each pound in the donated sum to give to local charities.
This year Buckie Rotary are inviting local groups interested in receiving funding from the walk proceeds to apply via info@sixharbourwalk.com for a grant.
