Olympic Flame is coming to the Highlands
On 27 July, 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games as the Olympic Flame arrives at the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron to signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In the build up to the start of the event, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following day. Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.
The Highland Council is pleased to confirm that on Saturday 9 June 2012, the Olympic Flame will reach the Highlands. Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through Glencoe, Ballachullish, Fort William and Spean Bridge before travelling up the A82 to Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit and then into Inverness where there will be an evening celebration of this historic occasion at The Northern Meeting Park.
The following day the Torch will make an appearance at John O Groats and on Monday 11 June the Torch will leave Inverness passing through Aviemore, Carrbridge and Grantown on Spey en route to Aberdeen.
Early in the new year Council staff will arrange to meet with representatives of the communities the Torch is passing through to encourage them to host a welcome on behalf of their surrounding communities. Full details of the Relay will be announced closer to the time, inviting people from across the area to welcome the Olympic Flame in these locations.
Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, said: “This is great news that the Highlands is to feature so prominently in the Olympic Torch Relay. I am sure the Highland public will turn out in large numbers to follow the torch’s journey.
“What a weekend we have in store as Rock Ness, the popular rock concert, and the World Mountain Biking Championships in Fort William are taking place at the same time.”
Provost Jimmy Gray, Inverness, said: “This is the biggest sporting event to take place in the UK for 64 years and it is a great privilege for Inverness to be playing such a key part in the celebration of this memorable occasion.”
Catriona Strivens, Chair of the Badenoch and Strathspey Sports Council who is delighted that the flame will travel to the local area said: “There are so many local Olympic connections around Aviemore, from past Olympians to the training base at Glenmore Lodge, and even the Grantown Sports Centre is named after the Olympic Cyclist Craig McLean. We were proud to welcome Seb Coe, Chair of the London Olympic Games Organising Committee, to unveiled our Olympic Tribute Statue in 2007, and at present have talented young athletes training for the winter Olympics. The visit of the Torch will certainly inspire them and I’m sure the town will be partying.'
John Green, Chairman of the Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council, said: “I am very pleased that the Torch is visiting John O Groats, the last point on the Scottish mainland, and I hope that the Caithness people will take the chance to go along to see it.”
Gary Innes, musician and International shinty player is also pleased that the Torch will be visiting the area, said: “I am sure we will give the Torch's entry to the Highlands a right Lochaber welcome and I hope that it will have the chance to encounter our shinty tradition on its travels through the district.”
For more information about the Olympics please visit
www.london2012.com