Primary pupils add colour to Kirking of the council

Photographs of the Kirking parade.

Primary schools from the Inverness area took part for the first time in the Kirking of the council on Sunday 9 September 2012.

The Kirking dates back to 1602 and has undergone many changes since then, according to Inverness Provost Councillor Alex Graham who reckons he has attended 17 or 18 Kirkings in his time as a councillor. At the Kirking service held in the Old High Kirk, Provost Graham said:
 
“For many years the Kirking was fairly simple procession of councillors and Council officials. However it has recently grown into a much more substantial parade and it is particularly encouraging to see so many young people from youth organisations and local schools taking part.
 
“Primary school children carrying flags, some made especially for the occasion, added real colour to the event this year. It is becoming much more of a community event.”
 
“The effort now put into the Kirking is a real demonstration of its importance to the Council and the local councillors. We very much value the annual invitation to attend the Old High Church of Inverness, and look forward to continuing the tradition of the Kirking of the Council in the future.”
 
Rev Peter Nimmo gave a special welcome to the participating primary school pupils from Lochardil, Bishop Eden’s, Cannich Bridge, Central, Farr, Raigmore, and Smithton schools and received their schools flags which he put on display in the Old High Kirk during the Kirking service.

The Rev Peter Nimmo said: “This year's Kirking was a superb occasion. I'd like to thank everyone who attended, especially the primary school children who were participating for the first time. Their presence and their colourful flags were appreciated by everyone. There is a lot of hard work in the background to make the Kirking happen, by people from many different organisations and community groups across the city, as well as members of our congregation and staff from Highland Council. I'm grateful to them all.”