Inverness Highland Games preview

Thousands of visitors and locals are expected to converge on Bught Park Arena on the Banks of the River Ness to see The Inverness Highland Games this weekend.

Dominating the half a million square metre site will be a giant blue tent that will house the final event of Games weekend on Sunday evening, the final concert of The Proclaimers World Tour.

A huge programme of entertainment which has been organised by the Games Committee to delight visitors is one of the most diverse in the 186 year history of the event.

The Games will start with one of the most spectacular Opening Ceremonies ever seen and will feature Chinese Lion Dancers, Cheerleaders, a Mass Highland Fling and the Golden Lions Parachute Display Team. Also performing high above the park will be Scotland’s top aerobatics pilot Jim McTaggart and the Royal Air Force’s 202 Squadron will make an appearance while taking aerial photographs which will be used to help the Games Committee design the field for the Masters World Championships in 2009.

While traditional events are at the heart of everything that will happen at The Inverness Highland Games, visitors will be able to find music all over the field this year. On Saturday the Tulloch Traditional Music Tent is guaranteed to be bursting at the seams before it is turned over on Sunday for use by the Inverness Youth Forum who have created a mini Rock Ness for everyone to enjoy. Top local DJ Andi Candoo will introduce two of the Highland Capital’s most popular bands Lowtide Revelry and The Jyrojets to bring the Games to a close.

Then 5 minutes later, the gates will open and the gig that some folk really are walking 500 miles to attend (in aid of the Highland Hospice) will be only moments away.

Games Chairman Angus Dick said: “We are really looking forward to two of the most exciting days in the history of our Games and I am sure that everybody who joins us will experience something they will never forget. Head Groundsman Mike Mcleod and his team have produced one of the most immaculate Games arenas I have ever seen and I know that all the track, field and heavy competitors are going to love performing on this surface.”

For further information please contact: Gerry Reynolds, Recreation Officer (Events & Promotions), The Highland Council tel: (01463) 724262