Inverness Highland Games weekend festivities in Bught Park
The Highland Council have announced details of the arrangements for this weekend’s Inverness Highland Games weekend festivities in Bught Park.
With the Inverness Highland Games on Saturday, Inverness Gala on Sunday and the Bryan Adams concert taking on Sunday evening; over 20,000 people are expected to head to the banks of the River Ness to enjoy the shows which have combined to create an unmissable attraction for locals and visitors; and a significant boost to local economy.
If you are planning on going to either the Inverness Highland Games or the Bryan Adams concert (July 15/16) - we recommend parking here.
Behind the scenes, months of planning by a number of agencies has resulted in the design of a multi-purpose arena that can be transformed to accommodate three very different events in rapid succession; and the organisation of a traffic management plan that will face different challenges on Saturday and Sunday. As usual, arrangements have been made for priority to be given to Disabled Drivers and Local Residents over the course of the weekend; and the Council’s Events Team have been very active in once again seeking the support of local able bodied drivers in recent weeks by highlighting the importance of them allowing themselves extra time to park responsibly away from the Bught Area and get to the show. Thankfully the weather forecast for the weekend means that the majority of the spectators can look forward to a most enjoyable stroll along the banks of the River Ness.
The gates for the Highland Games on Saturday July 15 open at 10.30am with Primary School Shinty, solo piping and Highland dancing competitions starting from 11am, along with junior long jump and shot putt events. At noon, the City of Inverness and Inverness Royal British Legion pipe bands will march onto the field to herald the arrival of Games Chieftain, Provost Helen Carmichael.
During the Opening Ceremony, Senior Games judges, husband and wife team Neil and Elspeth Allen, will be inducted into the City of Inverness Highland Games Hall of Fame.Following what is expected to be the biggest Mass Highland Fling in Games history; participants of the Tartan Trek will take part in a special parade of honour and show off some spectacular costumes, as they set off on their sponsored walk to raise funds for Mikeysline – a local textline set up to help young people dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts.
Inverness Harriers will provide a full programme of track and field athletics throughout the afternoon with first-class competitions everyone can enjoy. Sign up to take part on the day at the registration tent beside the grandstand; and the Inverness Wheelbarrow Grand Prix which made its debut last year; returns to the Games with a new format that is sure to delight the crowds. Competitors will take part in a 300 metre dash with a loaded barrow over the grass circuit, negotiating a series of obstacles, before heading for the chequered flag finish. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Inverness Culloden, the event is open to junior, adult and senior competitors with heats held throughout Saturday and Sunday.
The Heavies take to the field from 12.30pm with the Hammer Throw and will build up to the ever-popular Tossing the Caber at around 4.30pm, followed by the Stonemason's Stone at 5pm.
Unique to Inverness, the stone is one of the most difficult challenges on the international circuit. Competitors have to lift the massive 252lb/114kg boulder from the turf over a five foot bar without knocking the bar off its mounts.
As well as all the action on the field, spectators will be able to explore numerous exhibitions around the site. The Clan Village organised by the Association of Highland Clans and Societies will feature some 16 Highland clans with displays of clan colours, crests, mottos, colour flags and memorabilia; and new for 2017, Inverness Outlanders will have a stall to celebrate all things to do with Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling book and TV series.
In the Gathering Tent, the Anne Dickson Band will play a selection of traditional folk and classic hits from 2pm. Then from around 3.30pm The Full Tilt Ceilidh Band will take to the stage with a lively set on fiddle, box and keyboards.
Within the Arts and Craft Village organised by Exclusively Highlands held on both days from 11am, more than 40 stalls will showcase artisan foods, and craft products from across the region. There are many more trade and charity stalls to browse in the Traders’ Village. There will also be a zip slide as they help raise money for Archie Highlands.
Tickets for the Inverness Common Good Fund sponsored Inverness Highland Games cost £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and seniors. Under-fives are admitted free.
Further details can be found on www.invernesshighlandgames.com
On Sunday thousands of spectators heading for the Bryan Adams concert on Sunday evening are expected to arrive early to enjoy a day full of family fun at the free Inverness Gala.
The show begins with Shinty Sixes played in Bught Park stadium from 10am; with the Exclusively Highlands’ Arts and Crafts marquee, the Traders’ Village and funfair will open at 11am.
At noon visitors will be encouraged to take part in a range of have-a-go events including Touch Rugby Sevens and Shinty in the show field; and shortly afterwards the final heats of the Inverness Wheelbarrow Grand Prix will take place and give competitors the last chance to record the fastest time of the weekend and be crowned this year’s Grand Prix champion. And at 3pm, the Highlands’ Strongest Man and Strongest Woman competitions begin in Bught Park stadium. With record entry numbers, expect a hard-fought contest.
Organiser Gavin Laird of Forge Gym has introduced a Kegs Over the Bar competition to this year’s strength challenges. In a twist on the traditional weight for height event, competitors must throw a series of ever heavier beer kegs over a high bar. The most kegs in the fastest time wins. But it must be done in order, starting with lightest keg.
The weekend will end when Legendary Canadian musician Bryan Adams takes to the stage to play his only Scottish date this year.
As well as new material from his latest studio album, Get Up, fans can expect crowd-pleasing classics such as Run to You, Summer of ’69 and the record-breaking (Everything I Do) I Do it For You – which stayed at number one in the UK charts for 16 consecutive weeks in the early ’90s. The outdoor show, organised by Inverness-based concert promoter LCC Live, is part of the Live in the City programme which will also see Olly Murs play Bught Park the following weekend.
Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group Chair Councillor Graham Ross said: “After months of planning we are really looking forward to a weekend that looks certain to be remembered for many a year. We have a whole army of community volunteers, competitors, traders and performers coming to help us to deliver something really special this year; and with the help of local drivers; we are confident that everybody is going to have a wonderful time.”
Temporary road restrictions will be in place during the Inverness Highland Games, Inverness Gala, and Bught Park Concerts. The details are as follows:
Temporary Road closures:
- Bught Road closed from its junction with Bught Avenue to its conjunction with Ness Walk Upper.
- Ness Walk Upper closed from its conjunction with Bught Road to its junction with Ballifeary Lane.
18:00 hours on Friday 14 July to 07:00 hours on Monday 17 July 2017, and 10:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 22 July 2017.
- Bught Avenue, Inverness, closed from its junction with Bught Lane to its junction with Bught Road.
23:59 hours on Saturday 15 July to 07:00 hours on Monday 17 July 2017, and 10:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 22
Temporary one way restriction:
- Bught Road, Inverness, from its junction with the access to the ‘Highland Archive Centre’ to its junction with Bught Lane.
23:59 hours on Saturday 15 July to 07:00 hours on Monday 17 July 2017, and 10:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 22 July
Temporary manoeuvre restrictions:
- Huntly Street ahead onto Young Street
18:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 15 July 2017, and 18:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 22 July
- Ness Bridge, Inverness, left turn into Ness Walk
18:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 15 July 2017, and 18:00 hours to 23:59 hours on Saturday 22 July