In February 2021 the Arran Access Trust received funding to commission a study of coastal erosion effects on the Fisherman’s Walk path in Brodick. The study assesses the long-term impact of both erosion and sea-level change on the mile-long path. This project is supported by NatureScot, through the Better Places Recovery Fund.
The Fisherman’s Walk path is thought to be one of the island’s busiest and it provides picturesque off-road access to some of the island’s most popular attractions.
However, regular users of the path will know that the route is often impassable at high tide; in storm conditions, which we are experiencing more often, large parts of the golf course are submerged. Near the ‘Wee’ Co-op there are also significant concerns over the long-term future of the playpark, putting green and tennis courts.
While much work has been done over the years to stabilise the coastline, including the recent works on the banks of the Cloy Burn, this study considers the long-term options for the full length of this important and much-loved coastline.
The report provides maps forecasting the likely changes to the coastline and it proposes potential intervention opportunities; including basic maintenance, managed realignment of the path, soft engineering, and engineered coastal defences. The study was done by the Glasgow-based environmental consultancy Envirocentre.
To register your interest in future communications regarding the project, please contact info@ArranGeopark.co.uk.
Public presentation & discussion
A virtual public presentation and discussion was held on 29th March 2021 via Zoom. This was recorded and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4afgbTkPkJo.
A copy of the presentation (PDF) can also be downloaded here.
Project report & drawings
The following report and drawings (PDFs) were provided by Envirocentre and provide the basis of the study:
Fisherman’s Walk Final Report April 2021
Other files
People counters (buried pressure pads) were installed at the footbridges at the north and south ends of the path; these have provided an evidence-base for the usage of the path. From 5th to 28th of March we have recorded at total of 6,264 counts from both locations. The average daily count at the south end is 166 and at the north end it is 95.
Given that the data was gathered entirely during lockdown, it is considered to represent local traffic only, and we expect the usage to increase significantly in the coming months. The data (Excel spreadsheet) can be downloaded here.
A drone survey of Brodick golf course’s margin was kindly provided by local business Positive Pictures: