A popular Mearns walking location has been made safe after clubs reported their fears due to erosion.
Cliff paths near St Cyrus National Nature Reserve were closed on December 24 due to their becoming unstable. There had been landslides on the path down from the village to the shore, and erosion of the clifftop path.
However, a spokesman for the reserve said the main path from St Cyrus to the nature reserve is now open.
She added: “We have carried out some repairs to make it passable after last winter’s landslips which have affected areas all along the coast.
“Our aim is to maintain good access to the reserve, and we are commissioning work to help us decide what is the best way to achieve this, as safely as possible.”
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve is one of the most picturesque sections of Courier Country coastline and is popular with walking clubs.
Towering cliffs and yellow dunes enclose a wildflower meadow that supports a number of rare plants and insects. The reserve is incredibly sensitive to erosion and other damage.
Trampling damage can erode vegetation cover allowing the sandy soil to be dispersed by the wind. Reserve staff monitor the impact of people trampling through the dunes and if necessary take action to reduce damage.