Travel award scheme boost for talented Highland athletes

Talented athletes from across the Highlands are being supported through the latest round of the Highland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS), delivered through a partnership between sportscotland and High Life Highland.

Featured in the first round of funding for 2025 are 12 talented Highland athletes competing at regional, national, and international level in sports including surfing, swimming and rowing as well as gymnastics, athletics, snowboarding and golf. As well as financial assistance to help with travel expenses, athletes get access to highlife facilities across the region to allow them to focus on their fitness and strength with a view to gaining podium places in their chosen sport.

The national scheme – which was set up in 2020 – is funded by sportscotland and administered by High Life Highland. It is designed to help performance level athletes living within the Highland area who face considerable travel costs for training and competitions, often out with the region.

Among the successful recipients of Highland ATAS funding – and receiving an award for the first time – is tumbling gymnast Miguel Alexander Reis-Forrester from Lochaber. Miguel is a member of the Scottish National Performance Program and has represented Scotland at national competitions. He is currently competing at International Gymnastics Federation level – and as part of the Scotland team – could be selected for international competitions.

Also featured on the list of recipients for the first time is Inverness-based Iona Scott. Iona has made the Scottish Junior Orienteering squad as well as the British Orienteering Talent Squad. She said: “I’m very grateful to receive this support from Highlife Highland and sportscotland. This funding will enable me to continue competing at regional, national, and international events. It will also allow me to attend GB training camps to further my progression as an athlete”

Five time Scottish Women’s Surfing Champion Pheobe Strachan – who has recently been selected for the Team GB Training camp is also being supported by the travel fund along with golfer Hannah McCook who is currently competing in the Ladies European Access tour.

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “At sportscotland we recognise the difficulties faced by athletes in rural communities in accessing the best possible training and competition. ATAS is a key programme in helping to support athletes with those specific challenges.”

High Life Highland’s Head of Sports Development Darren Reid said: “High Life Highland remains committed to supporting our talented athletes, ensuring they have the best possible opportunities to excel in their chosen sports at the highest levels of competition. Their achievements continue to bring pride to the region and help to raise the profile of the Highlands on the national and international stage. We extend our best wishes for their continued success.

“The Athlete Travel Award Scheme plays a significant role in enabling this support, and we are sincerely grateful to sportscotland for their valuable contribution.”

ATAS supports travel costs for talented athletes from the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland and Highland to gain better access to competitive and developmental opportunities.

The full list of Highland ATAS recipients is below:

Images show Iona and Miguel.