New-look riding centre revealed
MEMBERS of the Caithness branch of the Indoor Riding Association had a red-letter day on Saturday when they unveiled the newly facilities at their base in Halkirk.
As well as a new kitchen and toilets inside the riding centre, a new outdoor arena has been created to expand the provision available to riders.
The improvements also involved a new equipment store and the retarring of the access road.
The branch received a grant of £30,000 from the Halkirk & District Benefit Fund, which covered half the cost of the indoor facilities.
The other works attracted a grant of £50,000 from the EU-backed Highland LEADER programme, which also met about half the expense. The balance has been met from branch funds.
Branch chairman George Coghill said: "The outdoor arena is a major benefit to us, as are the other improvements. It’s made a real difference to what we can offer users of the centre."
Long-time branch stalwart Morag Miller was given the honour of officially opening the new facilities.
Now living near Bonar Bridge, Mrs Miller was involved from the outset of the branch and played a lead role in the development of the indoor centre.
More than 60 attended the opening and the subsequent open day staged by the branch.
