Fancy dress scooter ride in memory of friend

A group of pals who donned fancy dress for a ride with a difference around the NC500 have honoured the memory of a friend and raised over £10,000 for Highland Hospice.

Completed on small 50cc scooters carrying camping gear and food, the ride which set out from Alness was completed out in memory of Robin Finlayson who made the trip with the group last year but sadly passed away shortly after.

Robin had been one of the organisers of the first ride which pulled in more than £8000 for the cause last year.

Fellow rider Garry Coward decided to arrange another run starting and finishing in the Easter Ross town to honour his friend’s memory and raise more for Highland Hospice.

He said: "We had a fantastic time and are so grateful to everyone who donated money on our journey round the NC500.

"We would like to say a special thanks to Applecross campsite, Broomfield holiday park in Ullapool, Scourie campsite and Durness Sango Sands campsite for waving the cost of the group of us to camp and donating the money to the Highland Hospice.

"We’d also like to thank everyone who donated money to us while we drove round on our trip.

"Our trip was a lot of fun but also quite hard as the heat was extreme and we only had 50cc scooters with all our gear on them.

"We stayed in costume for the whole trip round.

"This was funny as everyone wanted to get their photo taken with us.

"The final total was a lot more than we anticipated we have been quite overwhelmed with the about we raised.

"We are hoping to try and do another next year but will have to up our game in terms of fancy dress!"

Emma Nicol, Highland Hospice community fundraiser, said: "We are so grateful to each of the participants who did this amazing challenge in memory of Robin.

"Thanks so much for choosing to support Highland Hospice through this, we are really grateful for your support through what must have been a very emotional experience."