Young adults in Inverness are being offered a free introduction to the outdoors by Ramblers Scotland.
Anyone aged 18 to 26 can register for the walking charity’s pioneering Out There Award. The three-day scheme starts at Inverness Leisure on Saturday March 14.
More than 50 participants have completed schemes in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Tayside since last summer – but this will be the first one held in Inverness.
It is expected that about 15 young adults from in and around Inverness will take part. As well as learning about basic navigation, hill safety and route planning, they will plan and take on their own challenging group walk in nearby countryside.
Ramblers Scotland’s young adult development project officer Sam Knight said: “We’re excited about how the Out There Award is helping break down the barriers that stop more young people from enjoying the benefits of Scotland’s amazing outdoors – and can’t wait to launch it in Inverness, especially as the city is surrounded by such brilliant countryside.
“Research shows that too often young people lack walking partners and knowledge of where to walk, so I hope that many young adults in and around Inverness will grasp this free and fun opportunity to learn new skills, sample local hills and meet like-minded people.”
To register, visit
ramblers.org.uk/outthereaward
