Almost 100 people gathered in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness, today (Monday 15 January) for the launch of Healthy Highland 2007.

Chair of NHS Highland, Garry Couttes, opened the week with a brief address, before the the crowd of MSPs, schools children, health professionals and Nessie embarked on the Highland’s first Mall Walk.

He commented: “I am delighted to support Healthy Highland 2007 and all the great events that are going on through the week. If people can lead healthier lifestyles, like the people of Europe, our national life expectancy will increase by four years. This has to be worth striving for.”

Organised by local charity, Partnerships For Wellbeing, Healthy Highland is a week long celebration of the Highlands as a healthy and vibrant place to live. There will be a wide range of activities, including Wellie Walks in schools, health fayres, free sport taster sessions, tea dances, art classes and healthy book displays in libraries.

Partnerships For Wellbeing manager, Carole Lloyd explains: “We felt this week would help to raise awareness of some of the great community activities that contribute so much to the Wellbeing of the Highland people and make up our unique culture. The focus is much wider than just physical health so hopefully there’ll be something for everyone!”

To find out what’s going on in your area, look out for Healthy Highland posters or visit www.healthyhighland.com

Contact: Susan Szymborski, Healthy Highland 2007, tel: 01463 729997.