‘It’s all very promising’: £435,000 final phase at Wick River Campsite
Work is progressing on the final phase of redevelopment at Wick River Campsite – with the long-term aim of investing profits from the venture back into the town.
A replacement reception building is the focal point of a £435,000 programme of improvements that should be completed by May, after the site has opened for the 2025 season in April.
It follows on from the £450,000 facilities block that had its official opening last September.
The new reception building is taking shape, while other facilities being created include a wardens’ pitch, electric vehicle charging points, a motorhome service area, a chemical toilet disposal point and five new fully serviced pitches.
The riverside site officially reopened under the management of Wick Development Trust in June 2022 after terms were agreed with Highland Council for the lease. Profits will ultimately go towards local regeneration efforts after its three-year upgrading plan.
The improved facilities led to a “notable rise” in the number of holidaymakers staying more than one night last season as the campsite began to build up a reputation as the best on the North Coast 500.
“In fact, some reckon it’s the best campsite they’ve ever stayed in,” development trust director Alistair Jack said.
He emphasised that the overall goal is to boost the local economy by encouraging tourists to stay longer in the area.
“We made amazing progress in January,” Mr Jack explained. “Then we were delayed with some of the steelwork for the building – that set us back a couple of weeks.
“We’re now realistically looking at early to mid-May to be finished, but we’re still opening on April 1.”
Six e-bikes will be available for hire by site users, and the new e-bike shed will be used as a temporary reception area until the new building is ready.
Mr Jack said: “We knew what the project could deliver for the community, but we knew we had to try and keep it on a fairly tight timescale because the longer we were having to invest money back into the campsite, the longer it would take for us to be able to start investing money into the town – and that’s the overall aim.
“In 2023 we did a survey and people staying at the site [that year] were spending £642,000 in the town.”
The new reception building will feature a foyer with visitor information and a small shop selling local produce and convenience items. “We’re not trying to compete with local shops or supermarkets, it’s only for if someone is short of something they can nip and get it,” Mr Jack said.
There will also be camping supplies for sale.
At the rear there will be a communal space where guests can gather indoors to socialise, with doors opening to a sheltered outdoor seating and barbecue area. There will also be a dedicated space for local food trucks.
Mr Jack said: “Our figures are up, and when we look at our bookings to date they are at least double what they were at the same time last year.
“We do have a longer-term vision and aim, so this is just a cog in that machine.
“What we need is locals to be proud of their town. Yes, we know that the town centre has issues, and there are plans afoot to try and do something with the town centre, but we need people to be upbeat locally.
“This is where we live and we need to be proud of it. There’s a lot of history here in Wick that we need to promote.
“And the thing about this site is not just trying to attract people to come here, but if we can get them to stay one more night then they spend more money on going to attractions or buying shopping or going out for a meal or whatever.
“It all helps to boost the local economy. If businesses are busier, there is more employment… it has a knock-on effect, definitely.
“It may not be seen straight away, but I think after a few years if this place can run at capacity for a large part of the year then it will be a huge boon for the town. It’s all very promising.”
Mr Jack is chief officer of Caithness Voluntary Group as well as being a director of Wick Development Trust.
Sarah Lamb is no longer in post as projects manager for Wick Development Trust but is now a volunteer director.
Funders for the reception building are Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Dounreay Socio-Economic Fund and the SSE Sustainable Development Fund.
Efforts to revitalise the campsite were recognised with two awards in September last year.
It was named as Social Enterprise of the Year at the Highland Third Sector Interface awards and then received the Community Business of the Year award at the 50th anniversary dinner of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
