​​​​​​​Public workers to parade in annual Kirking

An ancient Inverness ceremony – the Kirking of the Council - takes places this Sunday 10 September 2017.

Staff and Members of The Highland Council along with guests from the University of the Highlands and Islands and community councils will parade, led by the Royal British Legion Scotland (Inverness Branch) pipes and drums, and the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band along with uniformed youth groups and school representatives.

The Highland Council is inviting members of the public, especially those who work in the public services to attend the Kirking this Sunday.

The 200-strong colourful Kirking parade begins from Crown Primary School at 10.30am and travels down Stephen’s Brae towards the Town House where they will be joined by Provost Helen Carmichael, Councillors and representatives from various organisations serving the city. The parade will then make its way from Inverness Town House along the riverside to the Old High Church on Church Street.

The service in the Old High Church - which is open to all - begins at 11.15am. Due to the popularity of the Kirking those intending to join the congregation are asked to arrive in good time to take their seats. After the service the procession will then form up in Church Street before returning to the Town House.

The Kirking Service will be led by Reverend Peter Nimmo, Minister of Old High St Stephen’s Church who will deliver a sermon called 'Cherish the light!' which is based on two readings from the New Testament. Leading the opening prayer will be the Reverend Stewart A MacKay, Chaplain of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Fort George. Leading the Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession will be Rev Sarah Murray, Provost of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Inverness. Scripture readings will be read by congregation members Ron Lyon and Derek Robertson. The combined choirs of the Old High and St Stephens will sing at the event; with Pam McCulloch (the Choir Director at St Stephen's) conducting; and Robin Versteeg (Choir Director of the Old High) organist for the service.

Provost and Leader of Inverness, Councillor Helen Carmichael, who will be delivering the Provost’s traditional Scripture reading during the service said: “The Kirking is for people who work in the public sector of all faiths or no faith who wish to come together and reflect on their public service.”

The Kirking is the oldest annual gathering staged in the City of Inverness, and brings over 400 years of tradition and pageantry to the streets of Highland Capital. The Kirking is always held on the morning of the second Sunday in September and marks the official end of the Inverness Summer Festivals programme.

Motorists are being advised that there will be temporary road closures, directed by Police Scotland during the time of the parade on Sunday 10 September as follows:

• Kingsmills Road, Inverness, closed at its junction with Union Road to its junction with Charles Street, between 10:25 and 10:35
• Stephens Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Kingsmills Road to its junction with Stephens Brae, between 10:30 and 10:40
• Stephens Brae, Inverness, closed at its junction with Stephens Street to its junction with Eastgate, between 10:30 and 10:40
• Eastgate, Inverness, closed at its junction with Stephens Brae to its junction with High Street, between 10:30 and 10:40
• High Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Eastgate to its junction with Bridge Street, between 10:35 and 10:45 and between 12:25 and 12:45
• Bridge Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with High Street to its junction with Bank Street, between 10:35 and 10:50 and between 12:30 and 12:45
• Bank Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Bridge Street to its junction with Fraser Street, between 10:40 and 10:55
• Fraser Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Bank Street to its junction with Church Street, between 10:40 and 10:55
• Church Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Fraser Street to its junction with Friars Lane, between 10:45 and 11:00 and between 12:15 and 12:25
• Church Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Fraser Street to its junction with Union Street, between 12:15 and 12:30
• Union Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Church Street to its junction with Academy Street, between 12:15 and 12:30
• Academy Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Union Street to its junction with Inglis Street, between 12:20 and 12:35
• Inglis Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Academy Street to its junction with High Street, between 12:20 and 12:40