Children and families across East Sutherland have spent the summer surfing, swimming, tossing cabers and trying new sports through a programme designed to make getting active easier and more inclusive.

High Life Highland’s Active Schools team delivered activities across the area with support from the Scottish Government and sportscotland’s Summer of Sport initiative.

The programme was deliberately spread across rural communities, giving children and young people opportunities to stay active during the school holidays while learning new skills, building confidence and making friends.

Sports and games sessions were delivered alongside Feis Chataibh with support from Golspie High School Young Leader Fara Sutherland, adding physical activities to the annual festival programme.

Traditional Highland sport also took centre stage with free Family Highland Games in the Park sessions held in Rogart and Rosehall.

Children and adults were able to try caber tossing, hammer throwing and shot put before joining together for team activities including tug of war.

Another 15 local school pupils headed north for a surfing trip to Dunnet Beach, with Summer of Sport funding covering transport aboard the Go Golspie minibus.

Additional support provided targeted groups with a 50% reduction in lesson costs, helping make the experience affordable for more families.

North Coast Watersports delivered the session, giving youngsters an opportunity to develop their confidence in the water and learn new surfing skills.

Inclusion was also central to the summer programme, with a para multisports and swimming event delivered alongside Sutherland Swimming Pool.

Around 20 children and their siblings took part in boccia, football, archery and parachute games before heading into the pool for swimming sessions using new floats and inflatables bought through the funding.

The programme finished with free pool parties and family swimming sessions, creating another opportunity for children and parents to enjoy being active together during the holidays.

Elissa Stevenson, High Life Highland Active Schools Coordinator for East Sutherland, said:

“Summer of Sport funding made a real difference to what we were able to offer local children and families this year.

“It allowed us to deliver a wide range of activities across East Sutherland, support inclusive opportunities, reduce financial barriers to participation and provide experiences that many young people may not otherwise have been able to access.

“It was fantastic to see so many children and families taking part, learning new skills, being active and enjoying their summer holidays.

We are extremely grateful for the support that helped make these opportunities possible.”

For rural communities, access can often be as important as the activity itself, with distance, transport and cost capable of turning an opportunity into something that simply cannot happen.

This summer, some of those barriers were taken away.

And whether it was catching a wave at Dunnet, throwing a caber in Rogart or simply having fun in the swimming pool, East Sutherland’s youngsters were given plenty of reasons to get out and get moving.