My tour officially ends today in Inverness. It has been a wonderful experience. I will blog a recap and review of the ride after this. So do look out for it.
Today, there will no riding but lots of exploring Inverness and the surrounding. I am also doing some research on Social Enterprise and Community based program in Scotland. David who is a Social Enterprise Academy colleague here in Inverness graciously hosted me today to show me around Inverness.
We started with a hearty Highland breakfast of Oat porridge at cafe that is a Social Enterprise. They provide on the job training for youths that are having difficulties in the school system. The profits of the operations goes back into funding its operation and another part goes back to their parent company which is a charity and the profits would be used for charitable causes. That’s what we call a meaningful enterprise.
We really had a full on day, I followed David to pick up his cats from a pet hotel and then went for a walk in a national park Later we pick up the cats again to sent them for a quick check up and subsequently went to visit a Woodland that is community managed and then to have a nice lunch at a cafe near by. David had a meeting with the Highlands and Island Enterprise which is an agency under the Scottish government tasked to promote community programs in rural Scotland. I was able to tag along to the meeting and it was a great experience for me.
I am told that in Scotland the rural areas have the most Social Enterprise per capita compared to urban areas. How interesting.
Statistic shows in rural Scotland there are perhaps less than 1000 people per Social Enterprise vs more than 3000 people for urban areas. Wow.
The bonus of the day was after a chit chat about my touring bike which I bought in Edinburgh, David decide to buy it off me for £120. I am grateful to David for this. So thank you David and thank you for a great day.
Tomorrow I will return to Edinburgh by bus. Will spend sometime to explore Edinburgh some more before returning to Basel on 5th October.
Reflective Saddle 
Well done Foo! You really packed in a lot and I don’t know how you found the time to take so many photos and write your blog every day. You really make Scotland look lovely and atmospheric as well, even in bad weather. Inspiring stuff and I should ride out to some of these places myself. It’s good that you visited these projects too and met such nice, generous people along the way. Hope to see you again.
Adrian
Thanks Adrian. Yes I really enjoyed Scotland a lot. I will be back for sure to see more. Yes all the bad weather couldn’t possibility mask the beauty. I am glad you enjoyed my blogs and following my journey.