Ross-shire welcomes back gym-goers and pool users after long lockdown
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Leisure centres, swimming pools and gyms in the Ross-shire have welcomed back customers after being closed for almost 24 weeks due to coronavirus restrictions.
The reopening is two weeks earlier than had originally been anticipated.
High Life Highland (HLH), which operates centres across the region including Dingwall, Invergordon and Alness, reported a steady flow of visitors this morning.
Chief executive Steve Walsh said: "It is absolutely amazing to see leisure centres and swimming pools welcoming HLH members and customers back to swimming, working out or attending classes this morning.
"This has been a long time coming, but our HLH teams have done a fantastic job in preparing the sites that will allow participants to return to a covid-safe environment fully in-line with Scottish Government guidelines but presented in such a way that we hope will allow everyone to enjoy their safe return to activities.
"The feedback received from customers this morning has been extremely positive with centres experiencing a steady flow of visitors since they opened first thing this morning.
"It seems that our customers have been very positive and accepting of the new leisure centre environments and welcome the chance to ‘get back’.
"We expect to see numbers increase over the next few days and weeks as our customers get used to our systems and build their confidence to start attending their local leisure centre and pools."
Mr Walsh added: "We have waited on this day for a long time so it is great to see it finally arrive and our centres being reopen again.
"We look forward to welcoming all our members and customers back to our locations over the next days and weeks as we take another step towards our new normality."
What has it meant for you to get back - or are you still cautious? Let us know!