PICTURES: Gifts created with love for Black Isle Cares bridge the generation gap as Fortrose Academy kids rally round festive drive

GIFTS created with love are helping to bridge generations in a Black Isle community.

Fortrose Academy has built on an intergenerational project which previously saw pupils forge links through the Black Isle Cares charity.

It was initially set up to identify and plug gaps in care on the peninsula and has become a major force in community life ever since.

Hand-crafted Christmas cards created by pupils have been making their way to seniors with meals on wheels deliveries along with other surprises such as gift bags.

Some of the cards are instantly recognisable for their Black Isle connections with the lighthouse at Chanonry Point and dolphins making an appearance.

Pupils Bee Lumsden, Abbey Maclean and Ryan McKernie designed the cards for Black Isle Cares to help brighten the festive period at a time of great uncertainty for many.

It's the latest in a series of initiatives which have also included board games' sessions involving pupils and senior citizens.

Students also worked in partnership with the Highlife Highland youth development officers Wanda Mackay and Fraser Thomson, Black Isle Cares project coordinator Megan Mackenzie, the school's business education principal teacher Margaret Ryhnas and other staff to put together 50 St Andrew’s teas for older members of the community.

That project was funded through the Age Scotland Resilience and Recovery grant.

The intergenerational activities that take place in Fortrose Academy have been highlighted as an example of good practice in this field by Education Scotland.

Headteacher Jacquie Ross said: "This project is an example of partnership working at its best and further strengthens the school’s long-standing link with Black Isle Cares."

WATCH: Pupils get festive with performance of Christmas classic

Enterprising Fortrose Academy kids set out their stall in city

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