Recently, Tongue Walking Group managed to hold their #GreenHealthEvent which was funded through Think Health Think Nature, Highland Green Health Partnership funding.
Ahead of COVID, there were a number of events planned for 2020 which we hoped would take place throughout the Highlands. These events would aim to encourage local communities to step outside and reap the benefits of nature and their own local green and blue spaces. When the pandemic arose, these events had to be cancelled – so it is a delight to see a few smaller events still being able to take place despite some of the hurdles that are being come across.
Tongue Walking Group created a fantastic interactive event, which saw 22 participants enjoy a nature-inspired treasure hunt around Borgie Forest.
On the day, the team were blessed with a cloudless sky as you can see in the fantastic photos attached, a real treat for this time of year!
Social distancing* was observed throughout, as transport was provided and ensured that a maximum of 4 passengers were collected per bus, with participants travelling from places as far as Achininver and Bettyhill, and others used their own cars.
Hunting for treasure
During the treasure hunt those taking part had to find answers to a total of 32 questions along the trail – some of these very easy whereas others were quite obscure, providing lots of thought as well as some welcome conversations with others within the group.
At the end of the trail the group went down to Borgie Log Cabins for a superb picnic lunch, also enjoyed and eaten outdoors, which was provided by Cat, at the Clachan Museum Cafe at Bettyhill.
‘Green’ Prizes for all
Everyone did brilliantly during the event, each participant was awarded a ‘prize’ of some small chocolates and a BeeBomb – which is a ‘grenade’ made of compostable material containing soil and seeds which can be thrown in to your garden or local green space to grow bee-friendly flowers, rain doing the ‘planting’ for you – a fantastic prize for this Green focused event!
Ruth McDonogh, Walk Leader, commented: “The last time the bigger group had met was on 3rd March for an outing to Thurso. It was very rewarding to see everybody together again, catching up, learning a little about nature and our environment, and having a good time. The co-operation between community organisations ensured the success of the day.”
Acknowledgements
The team at Tongue Walking Group would like to say many thanks to the North Sutherland Wildlife Group and all who helped to organise the event and supported it by coming along and taking part in a healthy walk and a bit of fun.
(*Social distancing measures correct at the time of the event)
