Black Isle riders go the distance

PLANS to develop top-notch all-weather sports facilities in a Black Isle village took a step forward last week when 25 riders saddled up in Avoch for a 50-mile ride around the peninsula.

The Vuelta de Isla Negra — translated as cycle around the Black Isle — was inspired by a Spanish event which takes place at the same time and saw members of the business community team up to chase a £300,000 fundraising target for the facilities in Avoch.

Law firm Ledingham Chalmers, which has offices in Inverness, Aberdeen, Stirling and Edinburgh, staged the event on Friday in support of Avoch Amenities Association’s bid to transform an old bowling green into tennis and all-weather multi-sports courts with changing facilities.

Senior associate Roddy Cormack came up with the idea for the event last year. This year, four of his colleagues took part: partner John Smart and personal assistant Adele MacIver from the Inverness office, along with partner David Scott and senior associate Veli-Matti Raikkonen from Aberdeen.

Mr Cormack said: "This was another great event — giving people the chance to get out on their bikes, catch up with colleagues and contacts while taking in some of our stunning scenery; and raise some cash to help transform sports facilities for the local community. I would like to thank William Gray Construction for the valuable assistance the team provided in setting out — and taking down again — all the direction signs for the route. Thanks also to Fortrose Cafe for putting on an amazing Spanish-themed feast for the riders when they had finished."

The final amount raised by the riders is still being totted up.

Avoch Amenities Association has already secured funding for the first phase from the Suez and Leader funds.

The group has a donations page at www.justgiving.com/avochamenitiesassociation and also runs a Facebook page.

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