Wick River Campsite Emerges as a Must-Visit Spot for Tourists, Claims MSP

Wick: Maree Todd, the local MSP, recently toured the Wick River Campsite and was really impressed. She called it a “first-class” spot after seeing all the upgrades. The campsite, run by the Wick Development Trust, is becoming a hot destination for tourists.

Maree pointed out how this project shows what community efforts can do to breathe new life into an area. The campsite has undergone a major transformation, and it’s all about making it better for visitors. A new reception building is on the way, wrapping up a three-year upgrade that started with a £450,000 facilities block that opened last September.

Since reopening in June 2022, the campsite has been a community-run enterprise, with profits going back into local projects. Maree was shown around by Sarah Lamb, the projects manager, who shared all the exciting changes. They’ve even secured funding to build eco-friendly facilities, making it a modern and accessible place for families.

The campsite has doubled its electric hook-up points and added a barbecue area and a playpark for kids. Maree believes these improvements will attract more visitors, especially those traveling the North Coast 500 route.

The Wick Development Trust has received support from various organizations to help with these upgrades. Maree emphasized that boosting tourism is a priority, and it’s great to see local businesses benefiting from the influx of visitors.

In September, the campsite was recognized as Social Enterprise of the Year and also won the Community Business of the Year award. It’s clear that the hard work is paying off, and the campsite is seeing more visitors staying longer, which is exactly what they aimed for.

Alistair Jack from the trust mentioned that visitors have been raving about the site, calling it the best on the NC500. It’s exciting to see how this community initiative is making a real difference in Wick.