Community hopes to take lottery cash to the top of the hill

The view that the Cullen group want more people to enjoy (Paulina Honig/Facebook)

A CULLEN COMMUNITY group is pinning their hopes on winning a cash boost from the National Lottery that will allow them to complete work on a tourism beauty spot.

The Past and Present Group led the way in clearing the overgrown pathways to the summit of Castle Hill, allowing locals and visitors to easily access the summit.

Now the group are hoping that a lottery funding bid and backing from Historic Environment Scotland will pave the way towards the £16,000 required to place permanent and safe pathways to the summit.

Saying that their entire effort is designed to attract more people to visit Cullen, chairman of the group, Dennis Paterson, added that there is a great deal of pride in the village with many wanting to see the beauty spot at its best.

He said: “It is mainly retired people we have helping – it has been harder to recruit some younger people, maybe when you get older you have a greater sense of history, what matters and an attitude to do your bit to help.”

Since the way was cleared to the hill during the summer many people have once again been making their way to the top where they are met with some of the most stunning views available in Moray.

However, the group have seen that people still cannot reach the summit with pushchairs – nor can those in wheelchairs enjoy the experience as the current pathway is unsuitable.

Mr Paterson said: “We want to level them so anybody can get up there – that is our aim.”

More on the efforts of the Past and Present Group can be found on their Facebook page.