A hardy group of north kayakers arrived in Inverness on Friday after paddling up the Great Glen in aid of a charity which supports those who have lost a baby.
The 22 paddlers, ranging from grandchildren to grandmothers, arrived at the city’s Muirtown Basin just after 3pm yesterday as part of the Great Glen Challenge – coffee and cakes courtesy of local baker Harry Gow, who also supplied packed lunches during the adventure.
Participants were from Orkney, Sutherland, Ross-shire, Aviemore and Argyll, as well as Inverness.
Their 60 mile route took in the Caledonian Canal and its four lochs, including might Loch Ness.
Originally called Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal, the SiMBA organisation supports those whose baby may have died, was stillborn, or miscarried.
The event was organised by Susan Simpson, 45, who discovered the charity after going through the trauma of her baby being stillborn. Within months, she was one of their volunteers.
Mrs Simpson, whose daughter Charis, 9,was also kayaking, is now the charities ambassador for the Highlands and islands and mobilised the crew to take part in this week’s event.
They set off from Banavie on Tuesday before kayaking the length of the lochs _ Lochy, Oich, Ness and Dochfour – in four days, camping as they went.
Mrs Simpson, who has been training with Inverness Canoe Club since April, said: “It’s been an amazing adventure.
“There were a couple of people fell in when in shallow water and we had a few close encounters from the wakes of big boats.
“I have two support groups and people come along all of the time and one of the mums at Oban said she would not know what to do without us.”
Grandmother Norma Murray, 57, whose eldest daughter Louise lost her first-born child, said: “This event has been absolutely brilliant.
“We have been wild camping in our tents, which was great fun – apart from the midges.
“I have met so many people doing this and I think the whole social side of it and the sharing of life experiences has been really good.”
A total of £13,100 was raised so far by the kayak challenge.
Visit www.simbacharity.org.uk for information on the charity and how to make a donation.