Council High Life scheme aims to be top of the list of Highland New Year resolutions

Organisers of a local authority leisure access scheme in the Highlands hope to attract a record number of people making New Year resolutions to improve their health and fitness.

High Life is The Highland Council’s scheme delivering affordable access to 20 leisure facilities within the area from Fort William to Thurso and Portree to Nairn. High Life helps members become more active, more often, at more venues with more value.

Making a New Year’ resolution to get fit and stay healthy need not be expensive as all-inclusive High Life membership fees have recently fallen. With the reduction in VAT, fees have dropped from £21 per month for a family to £20.55, and for an individual from £15 to £14.68 per month.

For households on Income Support, Pension Guarantee Credit, Job Seekers Allowance (income based), or individuals on Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance budget access to all facilities is just 50p per activity.

For those wishing total freedom of choice there is a pay as you go option. It is no problem to turn up and pay at reception for any activity in the usual way. Anyone under 18, or in full time education, or over 60, you get half price access.

People who hold “National Entitlement Cards” (transport for the over 60s, Young Scots and those with disabilities), will now find it easier to be part of High Life. Providing that they pay the monthly fee to High Life they need only carry one card because, following upgrading of the technology at Highland leisure centre receptions, their National Entitlement Card will now double up as their High Life membership card.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. With local accessible facilities, throughout the Highlands, the High Life scheme is a great help to people trying to keep New Year fitness resolutions.” 

High Life cards can be used at all the following participating centres where applications forms can also be obtained:

• Caithness

Thurso Swimming Pool tel: 01847 893260;
Wick Swimming Pool tel: 01955 603711;

• Sutherland

Assynt Leisure Centre, Lochinver tel: 01571 844123;
Sutherland Swimming Pool, Golspie tel: 01408 633437;

• Ross and Cromarty

Alness Swimming Pool tel: 01349 882456;
Averon Leisure Centre tel: 01349 882287
Black Isle Leisure Centre tel: 01381 621252;
Dingwall Leisure Centre tel: 01349 864226;
Gairloch Leisure Centre tel: 01445 712345;
Invergordon Leisure Centre tel: 01349 853689;
Lochbroom Leisure Centre, Ullapool tel: 01854 612884;
Poolewe Swimming Pool tel: 01445 781345;
TRACC, Tain tel: 01862 893767);

• Inverness and Nairn

Culloden Academy Complex tel: 01463 792794;
Inverness Leisure tel: 01463 667514;
Nairn Leisure tel: 01667 453061;

• Badenoch and Strathspey

Badenoch Centre, Kingussie tel: 01540 662485,
Craig MacLean Centre, Grantown on Spey tel: 01479 870281; and

• Skye  & Lochalsh and Lochaber

Arainn Fhinn, Portree tel: 01478 614819;
Lochaber Leisure Centre tel: 01397 704359).

Early in 2009 Lochalsh Leisure Centre will be offering the High Life option for the first time (tel: 01599 534848 for further details).