Skye and Lochalsh Mobility Action Group celebrate improved access to the countryside

Members of ‘The Way Forward’ Skye and Lochalsh mobility action group today (26 August) met with staff from Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council to celebrate the introduction of 3 mobility scooters to the group that will enable its members to gain access to paths in their area that were previously inaccessible to them.

Celebrating the new equipment, including the donation of two additional Invacare “Meteor” scooters from Highland Disabled Ramblers and a new TGA Breeze 3 mobility scooter purchased with funding from Scottish Natural Heritage - the group participated in a guided walk led by Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger, John Phillips along the Marble Line path near Broadford.

Stephen Varwell, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Area Officer for Skye and Lochalsh said: "SNH are delighted to have been able to assist in bringing this new resource to Skye and Lochalsh.  Our area is world-famous for its climbing and mountaineering, but also has a huge range of low-level walks, which bring people into close contact with its wildlife and landscape. The provision of this scooter will now mean that even more people can go 'off the beaten track', and enjoy what this part of the Highlands has to offer.  We have been delighted to work with the Way Forward group, and the fact that they are proposing to carry out a programme of path auditing as part of their contribution to the project, demonstrates their real commitment to improving access facilities for all, over the longer term.”

Chairperson of The Way Forward Group Lyn Lawley said that: “Most of the hard work for this project has already taken place, and credit for this must go to John Phillips and Way Forward Member Nicola Rust. There is immense enthusiasm within the group and members are really excited about getting out and about on pathways that would otherwise have been unobtainable to them. We are all hoping that this will open other gateways in the future for the disabled.”

Group members will participate in a suitability audit of local paths for use by people with limited mobility using the new scooters. Two Way Forward group members have already undertaken training provided by The Highland Council Planning and Development Service for this purpose.

John Phillips, Highland Council’s Senior Ranger for the area has been involved in the project from the outset. He said: “Five years ago I was involved in establishing between four and five miles of all abilities path around Broadford. It will be good to see these and other local paths being made use of by people who have previously been excluded from taking access to the wider countryside.”

Thanks are due to local haulage company Skye Express who provided free delivery of the scooters and to Donald Macintosh, Elgol, for permission to store the scooters on land owned by him and leased to The Highland Council.

The Way Forward Group is a mutual support network for people with mobility problems or other chronic conditions and their carers. Anybody wishing to use the scooters needs to be a member of the The Way Forward Group.

The Group organises and shares transport by minibus and car to and from fortnightly meetings on Thursdays from 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm, at the A.R.M.S. centre in Portree.

The aims of the meetings are to provide companionship, talks and activities, and to support each other in solving any problems which prevent members pursuing interests. The meetings include a companionable lunch followed by an opportunity to suggest and arrange future plans and then a different activity at each meeting.

The Group's recent activities include socialising, travelling, arts and crafts, music, books, fitness, and games. The Group also organises regular outings and trips.

For further information about The Way Forward Group please contact: Lyn Lawley on 01470 521243

For information about Highland Disabled Ramblers see: http://www.highland-disabled-ramblers.org/index.htm