Mobility scooter hire service to start at John O’Groats
Disabled visitors to John O’Groats will soon be able to hire a mobility scooter to help them get around the area’s shops and other attractions.
John O’Groats Development Trust and Caithness Disability Access Panel have teamed up to provide the service, which is being made possible by a donation from Shopmobility Highland.
Shopmobility Highland’s manager, Norman Macleod, and chairperson, Bernie Macleod, delivered the keys to a Shoprider Sovereign scooter to Helen Budge, chairperson of the disabled access panel, and Andrew Mowat, treasurer of the development trust.
Mrs Budge said: “We are so happy to see this much-needed service coming to fruition. It will be great to be able to offer disabled people access to the shops and attractions here.
“We are hoping to increase the selection of scooters if the service is used regularly.”
Mr Mowat said: “We have big plans for John O’Groats for the future and it is our aim to make the place as accessible as possible for both local people and tourists to visit. We’re amazed at the generosity of Shopmobility and would like to thank them for their donation.”
Mrs Budge and Mr Mowat were joined by Barbara Gray, community development officer at Caithness Voluntary Group, and Councillor Jan McEwan, who represents Wick and East Caithness on Highland Council.
The official launch of the mobility scooter hire is likely to be before the end of July alongside another new initiative, involving Cycling UK, which will see cycles being provided for visitors to the area. These will include e-bikes, adult cycles and children’s bikes, with helmet hire also available.
The mobility scooter hire will be free, but donations will go towards maintaining the vehicle and potentially increasing the range.
Anyone wishing to hire the mobility scooter is asked to call in at the tourist information centre in John O’Groats or phone the centre on 01955 611373.
Shopmobility Highland operates from the Eastgate shopping centre in Inverness and provides mobility scooters, power chairs, wheelchairs and rollators for people of all ages with long or short-term mobility problems.
