Highland to Holyrood

  That was problem number one for getting home from Edinburgh.  Ok, so we just need to travel a bit further each day and come home on Saturday.  So I thought, but... Problem number 2: Getting the bikes on the train... There is only space for two bikes on these services, and they were fully booked up for the whole day. A number of emails ensued, and I have to say that ScotRail customer relations were excellent in their communication and also escalated to their senior management team.  But there was no way of getting round the problem with their bike capacity. Even when I begged them to stick a guard's van on the train (can take 6 bikes). So the final solution was that Olly, Freya and I would take the train to Stonehaven (taking the wheels off one bike - hope that's acceptable..), then borrow my partner's car to get home. Not quite the sustainable travel option I'd hoped for, but I think it illustrates a point nicely - sustainable travel needs to be made easier for people

We'll be fundraising for Trees for Life - a charity aiming to reestablish the Caledonian forests that previously existed in the Highlands of Scotland. https://treesforlife.org.uk/ We would love it if you would consider donating to this important cause. https://www.justgiving.com/team/HighlandtoHolyrood Kristina

Welcome to our team: Freya and Olly Baraclough (aged 10) Heather and Lente Robinson (aged 8 and 11) Philine Van Der Heide and Kristina High (their mothers - age unspecified..) We're planning to cycle from Farr, near Inverness, to Holyrood to show our commitment to sustainable travel and to raise public awareness on the need to live sustainably. We'll be starting on the 17th July and travelling 25-35 miles per day, aiming to arrive in Edinburgh on the 23rd July.  In doing this journey we want to share these four messages with people: - We have to reduce unsustainable travel. Not only are we increasing the rate of climate change by producing greenhouse gases, we're also using up precious resources in the world by making vehicles and roads, and road and airport infrastructure are impinging on wild habitats. Please think twice before using your car or travelling by plane - if there's a more sustainable option you'll help make a world of difference by using it. - Reduce