The sky is the limit for one Moray octogenarian who is determined to prove age is no barrier to fun.
Cancer survivor Rosie Hales-Tooke enjoyed her maiden voyage with Highland Gliding Club on Saturday, and is already planning her return trip.
The 80-year-old is also now considering getting behind the wheel for the first time, and plans to keep her mind active by learning Latin.
Ms Hales-Tooke’s gliding adventure is just one of many that other pensioners in the region can embark on when a new project launches later this month.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is an international organisation focused on educating and stimulating mainly retired members of the community– those in their third ‘age’ of life.
Elgin’s U3A will launch in the town hall on September 29, and will give people the chance to share their expertise and knowledge and keep busy.
Ms Hales-Tooke, of Calcots, near Elgin, is one of the founding members of the new branch.
The former dancer, who has travelled the world with her art, said she still has much to do and urged those of – and around – her vintage to join up.
She said: “It really can be fun to get old. Lots of people have this awful habit of saying, ‘right, I have arrived at this age and now I am not going to do anything.’ They just sit there and stare in space.
“But U3A allows you to learn anything you want to, if there is any interest in any subject, you just start a group. It’s a wonderful thing.”
While the word university might be in the title, joining the group requires no qualifications and none are awarded, with groups ranging from academic subjects to outdoor activities like gliding and walking.
She added: “Gliding was so brilliant for me. I’m scared of heights, but I loved it. I’m going to go again. I might try to get my driving licence too and I am going to learn Latin.
“The thing is with age, you have to think you can to anything you want if you put your mind to it.”