Olga Kotelko, a Canadian athlete still sprinting into her mid-nineties, once said exercise is not a luxury but the key to healthy ageing.
At High Life Highland, that philosophy isn’t just admired, it’s lived.
Take Elizabeth MacDonald, a 61-year-old Leadership Programme Development Officer who rediscovered her strength through the chill of the Moray Firth.
Cold water swimming became her salvation when pain had all but benched her from the sporting life she loved.
Now she dives in up to five times a week, emerging each time with less pain and more power.
It rekindled her love of movement and led her straight into the arms of Nairn St Ninians Ladies walking football team.
The sport may be slower but the joy, she says, is full tilt.
With players ranging from first-timers to seasoned pros, the team has built something stronger than just fitness – they’ve built a bond.
The sessions are about sweat and smiles in equal measure.
Elizabeth didn’t stop there – she’s also taken up pickleball, an energetic mix of tennis, badminton and ping pong.
For someone who once ruled the squash courts, the feel of a racket in hand again is nothing short of thrilling.
Her message is simple – if you want to age well, you need to move well, and there’s a sport out there for everyone.
In Fort William, Leisure Manager Gary Davidson, 55, runs weekly walking football sessions with players who range in both age and skill.
He started the group almost a decade ago and says the buzz hasn’t dimmed one bit.
They’ve played in tournaments, welcomed visiting teams, and found their stride on and off the pitch.
Gary swears it’s the camaraderie that keeps the team coming back.
That, and the feeling of youth the game brings with every pass, every goal, and every shared laugh.
For some, like 72-year-old volunteer Merv Riley, sport is about giving back just as much as getting fit.
Merv has been coaching at Milbank Primary in Nairn for nearly two decades, clocking up years of service in football, athletics and cross country.
He says the thanks he gets from the school is matched only by the fitness he gains from being there.
His motto is one to live by – you don’t stop because you get old, you get old because you stop.
Even for those who can’t take part physically, there are ways to stay connected through sport.
High Life Highland has partnered with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and local archives to offer sporting memories groups.
These gatherings use old photos and memorabilia to spark conversation, connection and a few heart-warming memories.
It’s a powerful reminder that sport isn’t just about movement – it’s about meaning.
So whether it’s cold water swimming, walking football, coaching kids or chatting about shinty, the message is clear.
Sport is not the past – it’s the path to ageing well.
