Major Landslides Threaten St-Cyrus National Nature Reserve
A self catering cottage in the vicinity of St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire is in danger of collapsing after recent heavy rainfall caused a series of neighbouring landslides.
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve manager Andy Turner said several slips had occurred across the reserve forcing the park to close footpaths and had left the cottage within metres of collapsing down a cliff.
Mr Turner said that one of biggest landslides was seen directly under the old cottage exposing its foundations. He added that the cottage is certainly at risk of becoming less stable and of coming down the cliff if the rains persist.
He said that the area next the footpath is the property of Woodston fishing station and that no attempts have been made to save the property, adding that the slope is now extremely unstable.
According to Mr Turner, significant landslides have occurred all over the area and have forced the closure of the donkey path linking the Woodston station to the nature reserve located at the beach. He said that the landslides have actually taken some of the footpath away.
He said that the nature reserve has hired geo-technical experts who will provide various options and hopefully indicate a way to repair the damage to the paths after visiting the area later in the year.
But are still risks of further landslides and rock falls.
After a prolonged period of closure, the popular Woodston fishing station cottage has been reopened to self-catering visitors earlier this year.
Cottage owner Gary Hincks had put the house fro sale a year ago but subsequently had a change of heart and chose to renovate the historic building and rent it out to visitors.
Heavy rainfalls had caused traffic mayhem all over Britain a week ago, force drivers to practice extreme patience and to use detours due to a string of road closures.
