Project improves outlook for disabled visitors hoping to see Black Isle dolphins at Chanonry Point
The struggle faced by disabled people trying to get access to a world-famous Black Isle dolphin watching spot inspired plans for a trailblazing event at Chanonry Point.
The access day was the brainchild of Debra Flook who explained: "After visiting Chanonry Point on many occasions over the years and wishing that I could get down to the shoreline to be closer to the dolphins, I began to think of ways to make it more accessible for disabled people so that we could enjoy this beautiful area in the same way as other people do. At the time there was very few wheelchairs seen around Chanonry Point as the access down there was very poor, due to the poor surface and the narrow path that leads down from the parking area."
In the early summer of 2021, after consulting with the Chanonry Point Advisory Group and Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council, a team was formed to improve the surface of the path, making it more accessible for wheelchairs and people who have difficulty walking. As word got out, there has been a rise in the number of disabled people who visit Chanonry Point.
That prompted efforts, she said, to resolve the problem of how disabled people could get down to see the dolphins closer. Access to the bench seating area was one thing but it was often not possible to see above the crowd of people who typically gather at the point.
Debra said: "I began to think of ways to resolve this problem by thinking of a permanent solution to our situation, which one day in the not too distant future will hopefully be possible. I then had the idea of having a beach access day, where a surface could be laid for a few hours so that we could gather down at the beach to see the dolphins.
"Myself and my husband began speaking to other disabled people and carers to see what their views were. We learnt that like me, many other disabled people would also like the opportunity to get closer to the dolphins and to be beside their family and friends instead of isolated at the far end of the beach. I watch as parents struggle to get their disabled children down to see the dolphins, some carrying them down, despite them being older children."
The seeds of the beach access day were sown with Chanonry Point Advisory Group, of which she is a member. A Facebook group, The Black Isle Disability and Accessibility Group, was formed and now has over 105 members, made up of disabled people and carers.
Rosemarkie Amenities Association stepped in to offer the loan of 10 mats to create a temporary path for the access day. Said Debra: "We then had an offer from a lady who also had a few mats and a generous offer from a friend who kindly purchased 12 mats for us to use at the access day and for any future events. At this point we knew that the access day could definitely go ahead."
Help from a variety of sources – including Shopmobility, Whale & Dolphin Conservation representatives, Highland Council and the local golf club ground works team – helped built momentum.
Debra said: "The disability access day was a great success, everything ran smoothly with the arrangements, the weather was wonderful and the dolphins appeared and stayed around throughout the day. Around 40-plus disabled people and carers attended and some from the Eilean Dubh care home. The amount of matting that we had enabled us to get much closer to the shoreline, although we didn’t quite have enough to get down to the end of the beach.
"A gentleman from Shopmobility came along with a beach wheelchair and this gave us the opportunity to get down even closer to see the dolphins.It was wonderful to see everyone chatting and eating their picnics whilst watching the dolphins. Some of these people who are usually unable to get out and about had the chance to meet and chat with others. People were so happy to be given the opportunity to spend time on the beach with their friends and family."
