Skating – and staying sane – in a winter wonderland
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We may be plunging into a new world of Tier 4 closures and suffocating restrictions, but word from Loch Insh is that it's still all go outside – especially on the strath's brand new ice rink.
"We have come to the firm conclusion that what we are currently offering IS permissible under the current Level 4 restrictions," said managing director Duncan Freshwater.
"And we have been delighted to see the interest from guests and the good feedback we are receiving from those who have come to visit.
"It really bodes well for the summer, as we seem to have just come on the radar to many families in Inverness, who perhaps had not realised we were here until now."
With the pandemic continuing and new restrictions coming into force, the Loch Insh team have acknowledged just how vital their services are, with Mr Freshwater explaining: "Ultimately one of the main services we are offering customers is a way to safely get out the house for mental health, as well as physical health reasons.
"We have gone to great lengths to review our Covid strategy to make visiting safe for our community, customers and staff."
All rental accommodation is now closed to tourists. The restaurant and bar is closed for internal dining and the centre is only open for takeaways.
But informal, outdoor, non-contact sport is permitted, thus the wonderful shot of surely the country's most beautiful artificial rink this week.
There are no 'regulations' or rules around someone renting a canoe and going for a paddle, or renting a bike and going for a cycle, or renting skis, or ice skates, the centre acknowledges.
"There are no more rules for these things than there are 'regulations' around someone, with their own equipment, purchasing a ski lift ticket to go skiing, or someone who owns their own boat, paying a mooring fee to store it, or a launching fee to launch it, to then go and use it," said Mr Freshwater.
"Sailing one's own boat, or participating in snowsports are all informal leisure activities that would only become 'formal' activities, where further rules were introduced around 'training' or 'competition', yet in both scenarios there is almost certainly a financial transaction."
"I am confident that we are meeting and exceeding both the spirit and the letter of the law for Level 4.
"Ultimately we have also created our own Covid risk assessment plan and I am in the process of updating the paperwork for the skating rink risk assessment and tubing to put on our website.
"I believe this risk assessment will stand up to scrutiny and evidences that we have thought hard about limiting any spread."
The reason for persevering was clear: "Mental health issues are not a trivial matter and there are a number of people I know up here who do struggle with our long winters and being inside etc.
"Add to this the fact that many families will now have children inside all day, whilst also still trying to work from home and you have the perfect melting pot for mental health issues.
"Getting out and doing stuff is a very significant tool in helping this. Sure people can go walking or biking, but what we are offering is a 'day out' or an 'afternoon out' and an important release for many."
