Visitors to Scotland to soar as Speed Queen, Lizzy Yarnold MBE, launches UK’s first Human Slingshot hurling a six foot Haggis!
A new record for haggis hurling was broken today when World Champion Gold Medallist, Lizzy Yarnold MBE, launched Hamish the Haggis on the UK’s newest addition to adrenalin-fuelled activities.
Hamish reached new heights during his debut on the World’s largest Human Slingshot, a new addition to the UK thrill seekers’ portfolio, operating from today in South West Scotland. The Olympic, World and European Champion Gold Medallist, Lizzy Yarnold, swapped the Skeleton for the slingshot as she carefully strapped a six foot haggis into position to experience the unique activity.
Launched today (Wednesday 1 July) at Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre in Dumfries & Galloway, the Human Slingshot, which catapults people in speeds of up to 70mph, is expected to attract thousands of visitors from all over the UK and further afield to experience the ultimate Scottish fling!
The 20 metre high structure launches its victims an incredible 80 metres forward through the air at astonishing velocity. It is the creation of the centre’s owner, Duncan McConchie, and David Yates, a local engineer. Together their forward thinking has led to the introduction of one of the most inspirational and unique activities now available in the UK.
The slingshot launch-pad sits high on a hill on farmland above the activity centre and consists of two vertically erected, thick wooden poles and a 130m long bungee sling. Daredevils are strapped safely into a harness then pulled 55m backwards while anticipation looms. Moments later they are then catapulted whilst onlookers witness the awesome spectacle against the stunning backdrop of Mossyard Bay.
Cutting edge technology and pioneering engineering have been combined to create the Human Slingshot, with innovation and sheer determination battling barriers raised by industry apprehension. Following several refusals from building companies Duncan held meetings with local engineer, David Yates and drew up a blueprint for the ultimate natural high, contracting a digger to secretly build the structure during a week in April this year.
Hamish the Haggis, from Dumfries, is a popular children’s character known for his adventures as the Big Burns Supper mascot. Earlier this year he ventured into outer space as part of a theatre production at The Big Burns Supper festival in Dumfries, but has never before embarked on a bungee jump.
Lizzy Yarnold MBE, said;
“It has been an awesome day here at Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre and I’m really pleased to be able to launch the UK’s largest Human Slingshot. It’s about as close as you can get to sliding at 90mph down an ice track! I’m just gutted I couldn’t have a go as I’m in training, but it looked immense, and I hope I can come back sometime in the future and try it for real, any activity to get the adrenalin flowing gets my vote!”
Hamish the Haggis said;
“This is a giant leap for not just for me but for all haggis kind. I have achieved my life-long ambition to set a world record for the biggest and
fastest bungee by a six foot haggis thanks to Laggan’s inspirational idea and I’m so proud that Scotland is the first to introduce this activity into the UK!”
Duncan McConchie, owner of Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre, said;
“I’m absolutely delighted that Lizzy Yarnold has helped launched the World’s Largest Human Slingshot and in Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink it’s quite fitting a haggis should be hurled! It is a truly incredible experience and there is nowhere in the world where you can be flung as far as you can with this, and in such a way that gets the adrenalin really pumping. I’m proud to have created a new activity for the UK, against the challenges we faced, and I look forward to welcoming visitors to Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre to enjoy an awesome, new and unique experience.”
Innovative ideas are nothing new to Duncan McConchie who invested £100K into the introduction of the UK’s longest zip wire (820m) in April 2012. Since then 20, 000 people, from all over the world, including his 96 year old Grandmother, have thrown themselves down the zip wire which reaches a speed of up to 65mph.
Find out more about Laggan outdoors and book your tickets on this link http://www.lagganoutdoor.co.uk/
