Helping you to discover some of the excellent greenspaces & health initiatives in Sutherland.
While every effort is made to ensure that the content of this directory is up to date, from time to time, information may have expired. Please contact us if you experience any problems.
Many of the activities are free of charge but some services incur a charge.
Many services are available to everyone while some require a referral from a health professional. If you wish to participate in a service requiring a referral, please discuss this with your GP or other health practitioner.
Have a group or initiative and would like to be included?
Community greenspace
Culag Community Woodland Trust
Management of Culag Woods for the improved health & wellbeing of local residents and to provide opportunities for outdoor learning.
Walking & running initiatives
Health Walks
A health walk is a short, regular, and guided walk that is designed to help people improve their health and wellbeing. Health walks are typically led by trained volunteers and are open to people of all abilities and last no more than 1 hour.
Kalm Walk & Talk – Social Walking Sessions
Kyle of Sutherland development trust invite you to join them on their walking sessions. If you fancy a change of scenery and could do with getting out of the house or socialising for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Brora Medical Practice Health Walks
Health walks are run from the Surgery and we enjoy some lovely walks around the village of Brora and surrounding countryside. The walks are aimed at all abilities but to mainly encourage individuals with a long term health condition to get back into, or take more exercise. Walking as part of the group is enjoyable and very sociable. Please give it a try.
Kyle of Sutherland Joggers
Jogging group for all abilities
Cycling initiatives
Kyle of Sutherland Cycling Club
Cycling group for all abilities
East Sutherland Wheelers
The club was formed to promote the benefits of cycling
The Golspie Bothy – Led Rides
Sociable, Risk assessed rides on easy terrain with plenty of rest opportunities. The short rides will only go at the pace of the slowest rider. If you are new to riding then bike skills sessions can be arranged. Please contact
Amanda Wagstaffe on 07833 938938 Email – amanda.wagstaffe@cyclinguk.org
The Goslpie Bothy can also offer free e-bike loans.
Outdoor learning and play
High Life Highland Countryside Rangers
Explore Green Health with High Life Highland’s Lochaber Countryside Rangers!
Discover a variety of events and activities designed to raise awareness and appreciation of the stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and rich heritage of the Highlands. In Sutherland we are offering a wide range of guided walks (both longer walks and shorter walks, coastal and hill walks designed to suit all abilities), but also events such as sea watching for cetaceans, rockpool exploring and much more. We also look for folk to help in our conservation volunteering tasks in Assynt, and joint nature-based crafting session in Lairg Library.
Find out more:
- Visit our website: Countryside Rangers – Countryside Rangers – High Life Highland Rangers
- Follow us on Facebook: Facebook
- Read our blog: Nature Unveiled | High Life Highland Ranger | Substack
- Find your local Ranger: Find a Countryside Ranger – High Life Highland Rangers
- Email us: outdoor.activities@highlifehighland.com
Join us and experience the beauty of Sutherland while promoting your well-being!
Brora Learning Zone Forest School
The Brora Community Learning Centre offers a unique opportunity to access all levels of learning in a friendly, relaxed and informal environment.
Facilities include a Training Room with 10 PC’s and a smaller Study Room with 2 PC’s for one to one tuition and on line study. Not forgetting a spacious reception area to come for coffee and advice.
Brora Community Learning Centre is open to all and welcomes visitors to call in and find out what’s on offer. Friendly Centre staff will be on hand to provide advice and information on all your learning requirements.
Volunteering opportunities
Trees for Life
Volunteer involvement in restoring nature, particularly in Glen Affric and Glenmoriston. Nature connection is a key part of our approach.
The Woodland Trust
Management of woodlands for biodiveristy and people. Volunteering, events, tree planting, path work, interpretation on our owned sites.
Highland Third Sector Interface
Seek and view volunteering opportunities in your area!
Sustrans Volunteers
Sustrans volunteers look after the National Cycle Network. They help local people to walk and cycle. They improve our green spaces for wildlife. And they inspire young people in schools to get active.
Our volunteers are helping to create a better environment for us all. Even if you’ve got just an hour to give every so often. Or you can give us your time on a more regular basis. Whatever time you can spare, we’d really like to hear from you.
Other activities
Assynt Leisure Sport Youth and Learning Centre
Learning opportunities including Arts, Crafts, Wildlife, Upcycling.
Golspie Rowing Club
Coastal rowing club made of junior and seniors ages 14 to 70+. We participate in racing regattas all over Scotland and also promote social rowing.
Go Wild Highlands
Provide educational and outdoor activities throughout Sutherland / Easter Ross
Helmsdale Mens Shed
Men’s Sheds are community run workshops with a social area.
Our men’s shed is a place to:
– work and relax
– pursue hobbies
– share skills
– have a cuppa and a chat
– get out of the house for a while
– get practical help with your projects
Arts in Nature
Arts in Nature supports people to engage with the outdoors and connect with nature in a creative way through the delivery of a variety of art and craft activities. All creative nature-based sessions have been designed to be relaxing, inspiring, flexible and fun! For more information please contact Charlotte, email: artsinnature@outlook.com
THE OUTDOORS
Breathe some fresh air into your life. The outdoors helps us cope with life’s ups and downs. Your local area can be the perfect place to enjoy tranquil spots, find peace and quiet and also have some fun, healthy, family time.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Less than half of adults in Scotland visit the outdoors on a regular, weekly basis, and 14% don’t at all. Access to green space can help to protect the physical and mental health of both adults and children in Scotland.