MEARNS BEAUTY spot visitors are risking their lives by ignoring danger signs at clifftop paths damaged by December storms.
As nature reserve chiefs at the Scottish Natural Heritage St Cyrus attraction work out a repair plan, they have expressed concerns for the safety of walkers on fragile paths which are now just 18 inches wide in places.
The reserve on the Mearns coast, just north of Aberdeenshire’s border with Angus, was badly affected by landslips as a result of the storms which battered Angus in the lead-up to Christmas.
Courier Country communities, notably Stonehaven, were deluged by heavy rain which caused millions of pounds of damage and forced dozens of people out of their homes.
The force of nature also left St Cyrus reserve paths and other parts of the coast unstable due to a series of landslips.
One of the slips covered part of the remaining path leading from the village church in St Cyrus to the beach, forcing SNH to close the path on December 24.
Warning signs were put in place at the top and bottom.
The cliff path leading from Woodston, known locally as the donkey path, was closed three years ago due to a large-scale landslip and health and safety concerns.
That path has also sustained further damage and remains closed, as does the Nor trail leading from Woodston to Rockhall and beyond.
SNH is now identifying suitable contractors to carry out a safety assessment and look into the necessary path works needed.
Reserve manager Therese Alampo said: “We’re very concerned that people may still be using this path, as the damage and risks may not be obviously seen from the top or bottom of the cliff.
“But there is a high chance that further slips may occur, so we’d advise people to stay off the closed paths.”
St Cyrus enjoys year-round popularity as one of the most picturesque sections of coastline in North-East Scotland.
Boasting the magnificent sandy sweep of Montrose Bay, towering volcanic cliffs and yellow dunes, it is also home to a spectacular wildflower meadow that supports a number of rare plants and insects.
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk