Golspie and Helmsdale rowers take to bikes as Row Around Scotland event goes online because of coronavirus
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Members of two East Sutherland rowing clubs undertook a 173-mile, 21-hour overnight coastal cycle relay between Kinlochbervie and Portmahomack harbours earlier this month.
The event was the Golspie and Bunillidh rowing clubs’ contribution to the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association’s Row Around Scotland, which has had to take place virtually because of the pandemic. The Row Around marks both the association's 10th anniversary and Scotland's Year of Coast and Waters.
Teams of cyclists undertook the route in stretches, with the first team, comprising Carene Ross, Ronald Mackay and Becky Shaw, setting off from Kinlochbervie harbour at 6pm on Friday, July 3.
Mrs Shaw said: “We cycled to Polla and handed the baton over to William Sutherland, Susan Grant and John Lyon, who cycled an enormous 90-mile stretch, arriving in Keiss at 6am. They were supported overnight by Ronald in a van packed with hot water and snacks.
“Brenda Irving, John Murray and Hazel Lyon cycled from Keiss to Dunbeath and the next stretch, including the Berriedale Braes, was undertaken by Bruce Shelley, Ross Urquhart, Danny Sutherland and Garry Smith. They got the only rain of the whole event and arrived in Golspie soaking.
“From there, a leg to Cuthill was completed by Vida Ross, Tyler Oglesby, Jacquie Sutherland, Amy Urquhart and Shelagh Urquhart.
“The last team of Ian Sutherland, Lindsay Watt, Kenny MacDonald and Jane MacAulay arrived into the finishing point at Portmahomack Harbour just as the rain came on at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.”
