Blog: A Highland Tour

Anne McDonald is an Age Scotland Community Development Officer who covers the Highland region. Recently she embarked on a tour of her vast patch, catching up with member groups who are meeting in person again. Here she shares her experience of her travels and the joy of getting together again.

I started working for Age Scotland in October 2019 full of ideas for engaging with our member groups across the north of the Highlands, generally involving travelling hundreds of miles across the beautiful area I cover, lots of nattering, making connections and drinking a lot of tea.

Covid meant the contact that did happen involved considerably less of all these, so I was delighted in Spring 2023 to be making plans to get on the road again.

Previously our Highland Older People’s Group Get-togethers brought together members across an area of Highland for a day in a large venue hired by Age Scotland.  Feedback from members meant I was aware that there was considerable anxiety for many about meeting in large numbers and nervousness around travelling far.  These Get-togethers were to be more local, in venues people were familiar with, often hosted by one member group, for a shorter time – tea and cake instead of soup lunch were order of the day.  Our topic for most was simply ‘Getting back together’.

I started off close to home with an intergenerational gathering for the film premiere of ‘Stories from the Black Isle’, a project of member group Black Isle Cares.  Pupils from Avoch Primary School invited older people into their classroom where they watch the film of their stories and enjoyed choc ices, popcorn and each other’s company.

At the marvellous Merkinch Community Centre, around 40 lunch club attendees were joined by Highland Senior Citizens Network (HSCN) members for a performance of ‘The Third Sister’ with deaf and hearing actors, from the Solar Bear theatre company.  Feedback was very positive, with people finding the performance enjoyable and interesting, and appreciating the opportunity to be together in person again.  For many this was their first outing for years, their first theatre performance in a long time, and first ever with a deaf actor. 

In April, 40 plus ‘shedders’ from the Highlands, Islands and Moray Men’s Shed Network met together in the Millennium Hall in Invermoriston.  Jo’s thorough risk assessment had covered the eventuality of a road closure, but though she needed to take an extensive detour luckily the road opened and everyone made it in time.

The shedders shared experiences of their venues and varied activities, supporting each other with developments.  We were well looked after by the hall volunteers, treated to a fabulous spread, and hope to return again.

Next stop was the Kensal Club in Alness, where the nearly 30 older people attending took part in a Peer Scam Awareness Conversation, delivered by HSCN Trustees.  This was developed with advice from Police Scotland, Trading Standards, and the Bank of Scotland, following rising awareness of the risks of scams and hearing first hand from those affected.  Having now delivered this to 100s of older people it’s been very clear how relevant and useful they find the conversation.

Heading west to Gairloch where Gairloch Aids and Mobility Service (GAMS) brought together 45 older people for a Get-together in the Golf Club café.  It was great to be able to share information about Age Scotland activities with new people, who were delighted to hear about the support available.  All enjoyed the wonderful afternoon tea.

Back in Inverness for a Get-together at Inshes Church, where numbers were smaller but the event was very much valued by those able to attend. I spoke to another 10 members who would have liked to attend and were delighted to know that Get-togethers were happening again, but for various reasons -  anxiety, high risk, lack of transport, lack of support, mobility problems - were unable to attend this time.  Harry Gow’s cakes, tea and coffee, went down a treat.

In June Get-togethers took place at the Brora Hub, the Assynt Centre in Lochinver, and the Pentland hotel in Thurso.  HSCN delivered their scam conversation at all of these. Feedback from attendees was excellent. 

‘Good contacts and information’
‘Making contact, face to face, with people is very worthwhile’
Brilliant sessions
Excellent presentation, good company, and good scones’

Everyone appreciated hearing about Age Scotland support and services and sharing their own news.  Crucially members simply enjoying being together in person again, and of course the scones.

Finally, July saw us at Highland Pride, with a joint Age Scotland and HSCN stand.  A great day chatting to lots of older people about the organisations and asking what we can do to make everyone feel welcome.

It’s been fantastic to be out and about again, meeting more than 200 older people (1000+ if you count Pride), from more than 30 different member groups.  I travelled nearly 1500 miles and enjoyed far too many scones!  I have plans for more Get-togethers in other areas, and invitations from other members, for after the summer.  Looking forward to heading to Caithness, Sutherland, East er and Mid Ross and Nairn, with plenty of catching-up, making new connections, and cups of tea!