Fourteen ladies enjoyed a weekend at Forbes of Kingennie near Broughty Ferry from 25 - 27th September. Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland and this was the first ever event in Scotland. Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their doctor).

Retreats take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling, and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants due to the financial backing of the Scottish Countryside Alliance. Trained female medical and counselling staff and fly fishing instructors are on hand at all times and the fishing tackle and appropriate clothing is provided by Orvis UK.

Fly fishing is a gentle exercise which requires no strength and is exactly the sort of exercise in which recovering breast cancer patients can participate safely. Fly fishing also offers those on retreat a chance to reflect and escape in tranquil surroundings.

Casting for Recovery was founded in the United States in 1996 and has since helped over 3,500 breast cancer survivors. In the UK and Ireland it began in 2006 and over 140 women have now been through the programme over eleven retreats. The UK and Ireland Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist fly fisher.

Sue said, 'Scotland has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, making it an ideal location for Casting for Recovery’s special brand of outdoor therapy. We were also delighted to welcome local MP Stuart Hosie who popped in to offer his support. The team at Forbes of Kingennie embraced CfR completely and made the retreat unforgettable. The participants all seemed to be thrilled by the warmth and fun of their CfR experience, and I am sure that some lifelong friendships have been formed.'

Owner of Forbes of Kingennie, Gail Forbes, said, 'We were delighted to be able to host the Casting for Recovery weekend and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the ladies get to grips with the art of fly fishing. Although it is one of Scotland’s biggest participation sports, still a great many people have never had the opportunity to try it out. Kingennie has hosted lots of different groups over the years, young and old, who have found the opportunity to try a new skill and the countryside setting to be extremely therapeutic and rewarding.'

To find out more about the charity go to

http://www.castingforrecovery.org.uk/