Bute's Countryside Ranger, Billy Shields confirmed that the team of volunteers, who have been braving the elements to repair the badly damaged section in the Hawk's Nib area on the island's extreme south east corner, finished their task on Saturday.

Funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in partnership with the Bute Conservation Trust, a team of volunteers faced some atrocious weather to restore the path tastefully and safely. We went along on Friday morning to have a look at the work which has been carried out.

With the wind gusting above force ten and lifting the surface of the sea like smoke - conditions which saw the island's ferries tied up for several hours - we stumbled south from Kilchattan Bay to Hawk's Nib, along with Billy Shields, and caught up with project officer, Charlie Fairbairn and his team of volunteers.

He explained that they were repairing the subsidence which had been caused by continuous heavy rain. "The team are getting lots of practical experience," he said, as yet another wave battered the shore below us, and high above a tree cracked and fell - pushed over by the storm.

Undaunted, he continued: "We have had volunteers from all over Scotland including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness and Stirling."

Billy Shield said: "The team have been staying in Morningside in Rothesay, which is fine in the winter but it demonstrates how much the island really needs a proper bunkhouse.

So next time you head south from Kilchattan Bay to Garroch Head, spare a thought for the volunteers who made it possible for you, once again, to enjoy this beautiful coastal walk. Take a few minutes to appreciate the dry stane dyke type workmanship in the retaining walls.