Youngsters with sight and hearing difficulties have been enjoying the excitement of the outdoors thanks to a north-east charity.
North East Sensory Services (Ness), recently staged a two-week activity programme inviting a crew of children to overcome their impairments by taking part in adventurous activities like horse riding and rock climbing.
Children aged from infancy into their teenage years took part in the packed itinerary, which also included a trip to Blair Drummond safari park in Stirling.
The charity’s young person’s coordinator, Diana Daneels, said the activities helped children with vision and hearing problems experience life in the open in the same way as other youngsters.
She said: “We aim to provide a wide range of activities for children and young people so that they can experience adventure and outdoor activities in the same way as sighted or hearing youngsters.
“This year our climbing day at Cummingston Crags was really special.
“We work hard to make sure there is lots of laughter and great stories to tell when we get home.”
During the fortnight the youngsters from Moray and Aberdeen challenged themselves by taking part in an insect hunt, cooking and pottery sessions and a sponsored walk.
Ness chief executive, Graham Findlay, said the children were involved in mapping out the pursuits they would most like to take part in.
“Horse riding is always a favourite activity and this year the climbing session went down really well too,” he said.
“The children are involved in planning out what we do, and they can be very adventurous.
“We aim to provide new experiences which will help them deal with the unique challenges they face in everyday life.”
The charity staged the events as part of its young people’s sensory services programme.