Evanton’s new trishaw is contagiously ‘putting smiles on faces’
AN Evanton trishaw project is already contagiously “putting a smile on people’s faces” in the village, with hopes of reducing loneliness and getting folk into the outdoors.
Back in 2023, Evanton was loaned a trishaw from the Cycling Without Age scheme to see how the community would benefit from it.
Two years later, the Evanton Community Trust in collaboration with the Trishaw Trundlers have officially secured their own trishaw.
“We’re just hoping to get people out and put a smile on their faces — it’s totally contagious,” said Blandine Courtois-Lynch, a volunteer captain for the Evanton project, who also works at Dingwall Academy. “It just makes everybody happy, getting to be in the outdoors and get some fresh air.”
Organisers of the volunteer-run project went on to explain how they hope the project can reduce isolation, and bring the community together.
Blandine continued: “The trishaws aren’t just for the elderly, but also for young adults with support needs, or those with a long-term chronic disease. At the moment we have one trishaw, but getting a second one is very much on the wish list — they cost between £8000 to £9000.”
As well as funding from British Cycling, the Trishaw Trundlers of Evanton also take donations from the public.
The Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Joanie Whiteford said: “I was delighted to be invited to cut the ribbon at the launch of the Trishaw project in Evanton yesterday, and was really impressed with the enthusiasm of the volunteers. They had been well supported throughout their journey by the Cycling Without Age charity and were full of exciting plans for the future.
“It is such a fantastic concept, enabling the elderly and disabled to get outside and be able to enjoy the natural environment.”
