WATCH: Highland woman (95) keeps up the pace at Beauly fitness class
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To the sound of Human, by American rock band The Killers, Vera Nairn carries out her star jumps.
And she continues keeping up the pace during an exercise routine, including completing a full turn, to Paulo Nutini’s upbeat Pencil Full of Lead.
At the age of 95, Mrs Nairn is a stalwart and inspiration at the weekly ladies’ fitness class for over-55s in Beauly.
At the end of the hour-long non-stop workout in the village’s Phipps Hall, she is still on her feet and smiling.
“I don’t feel tired,” she said. “I get exhilarated by it all.
“I come every week to the class. It makes me feel good. I love to see all my pals.”
Mrs Nairn, who lives in Muir of Ord, has been going to the classes for about seven years and has always been active.
She tends her garden, plays the piano and as an original volunteer at Sounds Familiar, the only singing group in the Inverness area dedicated to people with dementia, their families and carers, she attended its recent 10th birthday celebrations.
She also had a busy week with her own recent birthday celebrations with social invitations every day, 72 birthday cards, four birthday cakes and a party at The Priory in Beauly where guests dressed up in 1920s-style outfits.
“Age is a state of mind,” she said.
Mrs Nairn used to run the Ord House Hotel in Muir of Ord and later catered at the House of Beauly and Storehouse of Foulis.
Her husband, Daniel, passed away 20 years ago and her son, Bruce, five years ago.
“You have to keep going – you either sink or swim,” she reflected. “Sometimes, I don’t feel like going out but you make yourself do it.
“I like all the people who come along to the class. We have all become great friends.
“I will keep coming as long as Winnie will have me. I’ll still be coming at 100 – you have to aim high!”
Winnie Henderson, who will be 79 this year, runs the fitness class with members following her lead.
“Vera is a walking miracle,” she said. “Everyone loves her.
“She really is an inspiration.”
Mrs Henderson started the fitness classes in Beauly and Muir of Ord with a friend about seven years ago after going to belly dancing classes.
At one time, there were over 70 members between the two groups but the Muir of Ord group has not reopened following the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Beauly group has a membership of about 40 with most attending every week.
Most are in their 70s and 80s but Mrs Henderson said: “You don’t even think about age when you come to this.”
She explained the classes are movement to music which has remained the same despite her offering to change it.
Classes begin on the dot and follow a familiar routine to familiar music including numbers such as No Matter What, When The Going Gets Tough and Don’t Leave Me This Way, winding down at the end of the hour with relaxing Mahayana Thai music.
Afterwards, many stay for refreshments plus a chat.
Mrs Henderson stressed that she tells people to listen to their bodies and only to do what they feel like doing – and not to overdo it.
“I want them to go home happy rather than thinking ‘that was hard’,” she said.
Certainly throughout the session, the enthusiasm and sense of friendship among the members is evident.
Retired registrar Alison Matheson (76) is a long-standing member and gives Mrs Nairn a lift to and from classes.
“She is always ready and waiting for me,” she said. “She never misses. She is a wonderful woman.”
Mrs Matheson, who is approaching her 50th anniversary with Dingwall Gaelic Choir, said of the class: “There is great camaraderie – and afterwards I love coming to see the volunteers.”
