River Nairn footbridges get makeover from landowners Gordon and Margaret Nicolson with the help of Nairn BID
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Two footbridges across streams leading to the River Nairn are being spruced up by the landowner and Nairn BID.
Nairn River watcher Murd Dunbar was surprised and delighted when he went for his morning walk up the river last week and discovered the bridge over the Househill burn had been power-washed.
"Then a couple of days later it had all been whitewashed," said Murd who has been campaigning for years for an access ramp for wheelchairs further upstream at Firhall Bridge.
"The banks of the burn were spotless so whoever did it must have taken great care not to let anything get into the water.
"I thought it must have been the Riverside fairies or elves that did the job," joked Murd who for years has decorated a Christmas tree near Whinnieknowe for families to enjoy.
"A lot of people think it was me. But I'm not saying it was and I'm not saying it wasn't. Because I don't want anyone to get into trouble for doing it. But it's a grand job. A survey of the riverside has shown the path to Firhall and back is used by nearly 50,000 people every year and that's why I'm so keen to see it look after. And I've still not given up on a ramp so people with disability can cross the Firhall Bridge and do a complete circuit."
Some inquiries by the Courier unearthed the 'fairies and elves' responsible for the bridge handiwork.
Househill Mains landowners Gordon and Margaret Nicolson have arranged the clean up in collaboration with Nairn BID.
"Nairn BID supplied the paint and Gordon power washed the bridge over the Househill burn," said Margaret.
"Myself and Bob Ferenth, a member of BID did the painting and we ensured that plastic sheets were put down to avoid any potential pollution of the burn.
"The bridge is on Househill land and the footbridge at the cemetery is on the boundary of Househill at the Auldearn Burn.
"The cemetery bridge is a bit more problematic because we may have difficulty getting a power washer there. But it's on the cards. It's a very popular walk and we hope by giving them a wee spruce up it will make the area more pleasurable for users of the walk."
Nairn BID are also investgating repairs to damaged benches along the riverside.
