DISABLED young people in the far north will be able to go horseback riding now thanks to the generosity of two oil companies.
An outdoor paddock has been built in Caithness, funded by BP as a result of its tie-up with the far north base of Sub Sea 7.
Representatives from BP and Sub Sea 7 yesterday handed over a £12,000 cheque which will be followed by a further £8,000, to pay for the full cost of the project.
The paddock, featuring a 570-yard trail, has been created for the Caithness branch of the Riding for Disabled Association at the rear of the indoor riding centre at Halkirk.
Eight young riders, accompanied by their helpers, completed the first circuit of the trail which is made from recycled car tyres.
Branch chairwoman Agnes Innes said: “What we had before was a very rough field which we could not use because of the trip hazards.
“This has given us a very safe surface which is also very environmentally-friendly and which does not rot.
Tireless
“The paths criss-cross so there’s lots of different routes and there’s an access which means the children can carry on riding to Braal and along the riverside.”
The branch currently has 30 youngsters and about the same number of adult volunteers which it can call up on.
Among those present yesterday was branch honorary patron Margaret Viscountess Thurso, who helped raise funds for the centre.
She said: “The volunteers at the branch work tirelessly for the children so they can enjoy the thrill of riding.
“This is another marvellous facility for them and I’m sure it will be very popular.”
The project was chosen by Sub Sea 7 at Wester which is supplying four sub-sea bundles for BP’s Kinnoull Field in the North Sea, in what will be the biggest moveable structure of its kind in the world.
BP project manager Keith Williams, said: “This is the biggest job that Wester has ever done and we were very keen that we should leave something for the community after it was completed.”