Kirking ceremony offers public workers ‘time to reflect’

A colourful mass parade of pipes and drums, youth groups, Highland councillors, guests from the University of the Highlands and Islands, and community councils among others will lead the annual Kirking of the Council procession this Sunday 11 September in Inverness.

The ancient Inverness ceremony – the Kirking of the Council – offers people who work in public services an opportunity to gather and ‘time to reflect’.

The Highland Council is inviting members of the public, especially those who work in the public services to attend the Kirking on Sunday 11 September. The parade begins from the Town  House on Inverness High Street at 10.45am. The service in the Old High Church - which is open to all - begins at 11.15am. After the service the procession will return to the Town House.

This year, the procession will be led by the Royal British Legion – Inverness Branch pipes and drums, and the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band along with uniformed youth groups.

Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area Councillor Helen Carmichael said: “More than ever, the Kirking provides an opportunity for people who serve and work in public services time to reflect. Each year our public services face massive change and the Kirking of the Council gives us a chance to pause and consider our roles in public service.”

Pupils and Head Teachers from some of the city’s primary and secondary schools, together with Inverness Highland Councillors in traditional red robes and Council officials will join the procession from the Town House to be greeted at the Old High Kirk by the Reverend Peter Nimmo, Minister of Old High St Stephen’s Church. Representatives from the University of the Highlands and Islands will also be participating in the ceremony.

Onlookers can expect to see a 200-strong colourful procession make its way from the Town House to the Old High Kirk and its return after the Kirking Service.

The Kirking is a significant annual event in the life of the City of Inverness, rooted in 400 years of tradition. It is held on the second Sunday in September each year and is an important date in the calendar of events for the City of Inverness. It is an occasion that is highly valued by the Council, the Kirk, and the local community.