The roads out of Thurso carried a little more colour, music and community spirit than usual last week as cyclists taking part in this year’s Tour de Barchester charity ride set off from Pentland View Care Home on a journey stretching the length of Scotland.

The annual fundraising event launched from the Caithness care home on Tuesday 19 May with cyclists travelling through Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow while stopping at sixteen Barchester Healthcare homes along the route.

At the centre of the challenge were core cyclists Simon McCall and Shona Conway who were joined by Barchester staff throughout the journey to raise money for the Barchester Charitable Foundation.

The charity supports individuals and communities across the UK facing challenges similar to many experienced by residents living within care homes and healthcare settings.

Now in its fifth year, the Tour de Barchester has steadily become one of the organisation’s most ambitious fundraising efforts with cyclists once again facing Scotland’s famously unpredictable weather along the way.

In true Caithness fashion, the launch morning arrived bright, breezy and carrying more than a little rain, though spirits remained firmly intact as cyclists and support crews arrived at Pentland View shortly after 8.30am.

Waiting to welcome them were pipers Ellis and Calder Macdonald alongside Mark Moodie, creating a proper Highland send off as guests gathered outside around the Tour de Barchester banner.

Among those attending was John Thurso alongside Pentland View manager Megyn Todd.

Inside the home, residents, staff and visitors gathered for a warm breakfast reception where cyclists were treated to everything from continental pastries to filled rolls packed with haggis, black pudding, tattie scones, sausage, eggs and bacon.

Head chef Max Newlands and the kitchen team transformed the lounge into something closer to a celebration than a stop off point with glitter walls, balloon displays and a room full of conversation and laughter.

For many residents, the morning became far more than simply watching a fundraising event pass through.

Stories were exchanged, old memories revisited and conversations flowed easily between visitors, residents and guests, including Lord Thurso himself who recognised familiar faces and listened as stories about his own family were shared around the room.

Adding another layer of fun to the day, local events company Dynamic Sounds provided a selfie station where residents, staff and cyclists posed for photographs throughout the morning.

Eventually though the road north was waiting.

Following a short speech from Lord Thurso, the cyclists prepared to leave Pentland View and head towards John O’Groats before continuing on to their next stop at Seaview House in Wick.

As the pipes struck up Scotland the Brave and a local police officer escorted the riders through the opening section of the journey, the cyclists disappeared into the Caithness morning carrying with them not only fundraising ambitions, but a proper Highland send off.

For more information on the Barchester Charitable Fund, or to apply for a grant click here