Annual City Kirking ceremony takes place

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An ancient Inverness ceremony – the Kirking of the Council – took place yesterday (Sunday 10 September) bringing a colourful and pageant atmosphere to the city centre. 

Staff and Members of The Highland Council along with guests from the University of the Highlands and Islands and community councils took part in a 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 200 plus strong colourful Kirking parade began at Crown Primary School and  travelled down Stephen’s Brae towards the Town House where Provost Helen Carmichael, Councillors and representatives from various organisations serving the city joined in to walk along the riverside to the Old High Church on Church Street. 

The service in the Old High Church was led by Reverend Peter Nimmo, Minister of Old High St Stephen’s Church who delivered a sermon called 'Cherish the light!' Leading the opening prayer was 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 was Rev Sarah Murray, Provost of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Inverness. The combined choirs of the Old High and St Stephens sang during the special ceremony with Pam McCulloch, choir Director at St Stephen's conducting; and Robin Versteeg, choir Director of the Old High playing the organ. 

Provost and Leader of Inverness, Councillor Helen Carmichael who delivered 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 to come together and reflect on their public service. I am delighted we had such a good turnout this year.

“The Kirking is the oldest annual gathering staged in the City of Inverness, and brings with it over 400 years of tradition and pageantry to the streets of our Highland Capital. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this year’s staging of the event and for making it such a memorable occasion and for the crowds of people who came to watch.”