Two Sutherland outdoor adventure initiatives merge to form new charity
Two Sutherland outdoor adventure initiatives have been merged to form a new charity, it has been announced.
Sutherland Adventure Company and Sutherland Girls on Boards have joined forces to form Sutherland Adventure Company SCIO.
SCIO stands for Scottish Charitable incorporated Organisation and is a legal form unique to Scottish charities which allow them to enter into contracts, employ staff, and own property.
The new charity, which is based in Brora on the North Coast 500 tourist route, was registered with the Scottish Charity Regulator OSCR in December 2024 with a stated purpose of “the advancement of public participation in sport”.
It will operate on a social enterprise model with all profits being reinvested for the benefit of the people of Sutherland.
Rhionna Mackay, who co-founded the Sutherland Adventure Company in 2021, will lead the new charity alongside Beth Simco, who formed Sutherland Girls on Board, also in 2021, supported by Lairg and District Learning Centre and later the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT).
Fiona Macdonald chairs the charity’s board of trustees, and a group of skilled instructors and coaches is in place.
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The new charity will continue to work in partnership with KoSDT to increase opportunities for “green health and the use of natural assets”.
Rhionna said: “The adventure charity will focus predominantly on paddle boarding lessons and hire along with guided walks from May to September to meet the demands of the tourist market and local people. Pop-up events will be organised in the shoulder months.
“These services and initiatives will be delivered by skilled and qualified instructors with the support of volunteers and a volunteer board of trustees. The charity would love to hear from anyone who would like to work as a freelancer or volunteer.”
Rhionna continued: “Beth and I are incredibly excited to launch Sutherland Adventure Company SCIO to further open up Sutherland’s natural assets, develop a deeper sense of belonging to the local place, and continue to create a sense of community through paddle power.”
For further information and to register an interest in volunteering, email: infor@sutherlandadventurecompany.com or contact Rhionna on 07854 991601 or Beth on: 07766 889656.
