Knocknagael Green Hub: Inverness man cycles 100 miles to fund community vision
An Inverness man has completed an impressive 100-mile cycling challenge to raise funds for a long-running campaign to create a new community growing space on the city’s south-west edge.
Ronald MacVicar, secretary of Knocknagael Ltd, successfully completed the ride by tackling nine laps of an 11.3-mile loop, totalling over 7,000 feet of ascent - more than twice the height of Ben Wyvis. He was joined for the final loop by colleagues and other members of Knocknagael, making the finish a community celebration.
“It's quite a steep hill, and it got steeper and longer, as the day went on, but I'm feeling good,” Mr McVicar said at the finish line. “It was an absolutely beautiful day.”
The challenge supports the development of Smiddy Field - part of the former Knocknagael Bull Stud Farm - to create the Knocknagael Green Hub.
If approved, the development will feature 145 allotments, community growing spaces, an orchard, and recreational areas. Planning permission has been submitted to Highland Council.
MacVicar set out with an initial fundraising target of £1,000, but donations have already exceeded £2,450, with contributions still coming in via his JustGiving page.
“At Knocknagael, we need funding, so we need to think how we fundraise,” he explained. “Something I do is to cycle, and one of the options was to see if people would engage with sponsoring an event - and they did!”
A keen cyclist in his free time, Mr MacVcar added that the 100-mile goal was “just a number.”
He added: “These numbers aren't as important as the £2,000- and-something that have been raised.”
The completion of the ride marks another milestone for the charity, which has been working for over a decade to secure Smiddy Field as a community asset. With the support of the team, local residents, and MacVicar’s fundraising efforts, the initiative is one step closer to providing a green space for everyone to enjoy.