Cyclists get in gear to help transform Black Isle sports facilities

Four representatives from Ledingham Chalmers, which has offices in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling, will also take part in the social ride: partner John Smart and personal assistant Adele MacIver from the Inverness office; with partner David Scott and senior associate Veli-Matti Raikkonen from the Aberdeen team.

The fundraising efforts are especially poignant, as the re-development was the brainchild of AAA chair George Jack, who tragically died following a road accident at New Year.

The three-phase project, estimated to cost round £300,000, will see the construction of first-rate facilities on the existing site in the harbour village, with the £150,000 first phase due for completion in spring 2018.

This comprises the development of a new tennis court and multi-use sports facilities for activities such as football, basketball and hockey.

Grant applications are underway, and £17,000 has already been raised.

Inverness-based Ledingham Chalmers senior associate Roddy Cormack came up with the idea for the event as a fitting way to help move the AAA project along in memory of Mr Jack, his brother-in-law.

In preparation, and as well as overseeing the organisation of the Vuelta de Isla Negra, Mr Cormack has reconnoitred the route himself.

He said: “The intention is that this is a social ride, but we shouldn’t underestimate the challenges of the route, which starts and finishes in Avoch and takes a loop round the Black Isle coast.

“With this weekend marking the end of the last of the three cycling grand tours, it seemed fitting to use this business networking sportive to support George’s vision: AAA’s fantastic plans to ultimately re-develop the old bowling green and tennis courts into multi-sports courts with changing facilities.”

The event starts at the pavilion at Avoch at 9am for a 9.30am start and details of the route can be found at www.strava.com/routes/9262597.

Donate through www.justgiving.com/avochamenitiesassociation.