Inverness Hogmanay show preview
A bumper crowd is expected to gather in Northern Meeting Park Arena, Inverness on 31 December 2015 to welcome the arrival of 2016 as the Inverness Winter Festival reaches its climax with Scotland’s biggest free Hogmanay Party, “The Red Hot Highland Fling”.
Sponsored by the Inverness Common Good Fund, The Highland Council event will be hosted by kilted comedian Craig Hill who returns to the Highlands determined to generate more singing and dancing than ever before in what he has been describing as “Scotland’s premier car park” to audiences all around the world as part of his one man show.
Opening the show will be Scottish Folk band Breabach. The band are former winners of the Scottish Folk Band of the Year (2012) and Live Band of the Year (2013) awards and are expected to bring a large following of fans to the show.
Following Breabach on stage will be Celtic Supergroup Capercaille. Throughout their career Capercaillie have drawn on two great strengths to inspire them. The first of these is the astonishing musical dexterity of the various fiddle, whistle, flute and pipe musicians who have performed with them over the years, led by the accordion and keyboards of band founder Donald Shaw. The other foundation of the band has been the wonderful voice of the band’s co-founder Karen Matheson, described by Sean Connery as having “a throat that is surely touched by God”. Universally recognised as one of the finest Gaelic singers alive today, Karen’s exquisite voice has been at the centre of the band’s music, whether breathing new life into 400 year old Gaelic songs or bringing her luscious vocals to the band’s contemporary compositions.
There have been many milestones for a band who have sold over a million albums world-wide. These include three silver and one gold album in the UK, the first Gaelic Top 40 single, writing the music for, and appearing in the Hollywood movie “Rob Roy”, and performing in over thirty countries including Iraq, Macedonia and the Sudan.
Bringing the show and 2015 to a climax will be Skerryvore who will be a making a welcome return to the show. First formed on the lsle of Tiree off Scotland’s west coast in 2005; the release of their self-titled third album, ‘Skerryvore’, catapulted the band into the musical limelight and have been described as “Six of the best musical ambassadors Scotland could ever have wished for… a living, breathing, l2 legged party waiting to happen.”
Following a short pause at midnight for the traditional fireworks display and singing of “Auld Lang Syne”; Skerryvore are planning to deliver a none-stop foot stomping performance which is guaranteed to send the crowd home happy.
Chair of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group Councillor Glynis Sinclair said “The Red Hot Highland Fling provides the perfect climax to our annual Festivals programme and everybody is invited to come and experience this wonderful free show. 2015 has been an amazing year and I would like to thank my fellow Councillors and all the stakeholders who have contributed so much and helped us provide our community with some unforgettable experiences.”
Chief Inspector Iain MacLelland, Police Scotland Event Commander said:
"Officers will be present at the event where we will work with stewards and other partners with the focus of keeping people safe to ensure everyone in attendance enjoys themselves in a safe environment. This is a family event and our advice is to drink alcohol responsibly, stay together with your family and friends and ensure close supervision of children at all times. Over the festive period people may consume more alcohol than usual and in doing so can become vulnerable to accident or crime.
"We would ask those attending the event to plan in advance how you're getting home later in the evening. Drivers have to be especially mindful of the potential effects of still having alcohol in your system the next morning. Together with the organisers we will be posting messages with information about the event on social media and additional information on personal safety is available on the Police Scotland website. "
"Our message to everyone is enjoy what should be a great night, stay safe and look for out each other.”