Highland Homecoming in Inverness

yOUR
gUIDE TO
Ist September to 31st October 2014
For a full list of events visit: www.invernessfestivals.com
Welcome to Highland Homecoming in Inverness
O
n behalf of the City of Inverness
and Highland Council, it gives
me great pleasure to welcome
you to the Highland Homecoming
Celebrations in the Highland capital.
Our two-month festival is sponsored
by the Inverness Common Good
Fund and is being staged with
much appreciated support
from Event Scotland,
the Highland business
community, Highland
Council and numerous
community organisations,
performers and volunteers.
In the weeks ahead you
and your family will have the
opportunity to experience and
enjoy some of the very
best moments that
the Highlands
has to offer
this year.
We welcome
the return of
major events
such as the
Royal national
MOD, the
Camanachd
Cup Final, the
Loch ness
Marathon
and the
Masters World
Championships, as well as new events
like The Highland Military Tattoo, The
Parade of the Highland Clans, the
Highland Strength Festival and the
Inverness Craft Fair.
Some events are unique to Inverness
– such as the historic Kirking of the
Council, The northern Meeting
Piping Festival, the BID Street
Theatre Festival and our
Halloween Show on the ness
Islands. Over the course
of the past four years,
Highland Homecoming has
grown from being a vision to
becoming one of the signature
festivals of Scotland’s Year of
Homecoming 2014.
I hope
you and
your family
will enjoy
discovering
and
experiencing
some very
special events
in the Highland
Homecoming
Celebrations.
Councillor
Alex Graham,
Provost of
Inverness.
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
2
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
SEPTEMBER 4-6. nORThERn MEETIng PIPE
COMPETITIOn. EDEn COURT ThEaTRE, InvERnESS
I
T’S the oldest and most
prestigious competition for
solo pipers in the world.
Every ambitious piper dreams
of winning the Gold Medal for
piobaireachd at The Northern
Meeting.
Only players deemed eligible
are invited to compete, and
the total number is restricted
to around 90 – with a third of
these coming from abroad.
The piobaireachd is unique
to the Highland bagpipe and
to Scotland. Three medals are
awarded for this “classical”
music of the bagpipe: the
coveted Gold Medal, a Silver
Medal and the Gold Clasp for
previous winners of the Gold
Medal.
Then there are the
competitions for what’s
considered light music: the
marches, Strathspeys and
reels, hornpipes and jigs.
Last year Stuart Liddell
from Inveraray took the title
of overall winner in the senior
competitions, winning the
Northern Meeting Quaich, as
well as the celebrated Gold
Clasp, Former Winners March,
Strathspey and Reel.
He will be defending
his titles at this year’s
competition. The overall winner
of the B grade events was
SEPTEMBER 3-6.
WORLD ShEEPDOg TRIaLS.
fEaRn faRM, TaIn
Handlers from 25 countries will be competing, including, for the first
time, spain and south africa. Over 700 sheep are ready to put the 240
dogs through their paces. There will be attractions and entertainment
around the fields for all the family. l www.worldsheepdogtrials.org
SEPTEMBER 2-7.
naIRn BOOk anD aRTS fESTIvaL
Last year’s winners with Inverness Provost Alex Graham.
won by Graham Drummond
from Bathgate. He, too, will be
playing again this year.
Following the senior event
on Saturday there’s the
chance to hear the talent
of the future in the junior
competition for those aged up
to 18.
Around 40 of the best young
Stuart Liddell, left, who will be defending his titles at this
year’s competition, with Provost Alex Graham.
players participate. Most
are from Scotland but some
competitors travel from much
further afield. Some are as
young as 11.
Held in Inverness since
1841, the Northern Piping
Competition plays an
important role in preserving
Scotland’s place as the
international centre of piping
and ensuring the long-term
survival of a national art
form.
Tickets to hear the pipers
compete are available on
the day – no reservations are
necessary.
l http://piping.northernmeeting.org
Graham Drummond, last year’s winner of the Gold Medal
and 2nd Clasp, B grade, with Provost Alex Graham.
TV presenter
Kirsty wark is
among the
festival
guests.
T
ELEVISION presenters
Kirsty Wark and
Sally Magnusson will
appear as part of a shelfload of events, including
award-winning crime writers
Malcolm Mackay and Ann
Cleeves, journalist Peter
Ross, travel writer Kapka
Kassabova, and gardening
expert Kenneth Cox.
Cookery fans will savour
talks from Carina Contini
and Catherine Brown.
There’s music from the
Scottish Tango Ensemble,
Tim Kliphuis’s Jazz Trio, a
performance from original
members of Jock Tamson’s
Bairns, and Highland
Connection.
Kids’ Day offers free
admission to film, storytelling
and workshops, with
everything from drumming
to magic. Comedy night
features Paul Tonkinson
– fresh from touring with
Michael McIntyre.
l www.nairnfestival.co.uk
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
3
SEPTEMBER 5-7. highland MiliTaRy TaTToo. foRT gEoRgE, aRdERSiER, nEaR invERnESS
T
he highland Military Tattoo
promises to be a dazzling
display. held at the largest
historic military fort in the UK – the
location alone is spectacular.
The evening begins with an
RAF Typhoon flypast – subject to
operational requirements. Jetting
over the fort at lightning speed, this
will be one of many highlights of the
homecoming Scotland event.
The presenter each evening is
Alasdair hutton, who has been the
voice of the Royal edinburgh Military
Tattoo for 23 years. he will introduce
a packed programme of military,
international and local acts.
The best of traditional and
contemporary highland culture will
be celebrated with fiddlers and pipe
bands, highland dancers and Gaelic
singers, including award-winning
singer songwriter Fiona J Mackenzie.
Military history takes centre
stage with soldiers from the Royal
Regiment of Scotland acting out
vignettes depicting the building of Fort
George, the raising of the Seaforth
highlanders, and the recruitment,
training and departure of highland
soldiers to fight in the First World War.
One of the Allied forces’ greatest
assets in WW1 –a replica Se5A
biplane will also provide a soaring
display. handmade and flown by
Neil Geddes from Bridge of Weir, the
wooden plane is a regular visitor to
air shows. The Se5A was
one of the fastest
aircraft of its time
and first joined
the war over the
Western Front
in June 1917.
One of the
most famous
military bands
in the USA –
The hellcats
from West
Point Academy
– perform at the
Tattoo for the first
time.
The hellcats have played
an influential role in American military
life since the War of Independence
between 1775 and 1783.
Military Tattoo producer Major
Bruce hitchings spotted the band at
the New York Tattoo earlier this year
The West Point Military Academy Hellcats –
one of the most famous military bands in the
USA – will perform for the first time in the UK
at the tattoo.
and is delighted to bring them from
America to Ardersier.
Other performers will not have as
far to travel: the Pipes and Drums
of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion of
The Royal Regiment of Scotland are
stationed at Fort George. They will
take part in one of the most stirring
sights of the evening – the fanfare
and massed pipe bands. All
participating bands will
come together to bid
a fond farewell to the
audience, while the Lone
Piper, award-winning
17-year-old Sandy
Cameron from Roy
Bridge (left), will play
the last notes of the day.
For a sensational
finale, a fireworks display
will light up the skies over
the fort and firth.
All profits from the event
will be donated to Armed Forces
charities.
Performances are from 8pm to
9.30pm. Tickets, priced from £10 to
£30 are available on the Ticketmaster
Scotland website or call 0844 844
0444. Booking fees apply.
l www.highlandmilitarytattoo.com.
The Pipes and Drums of
The Black Watch, 3rd
Battalion of The Royal
Regiment of Scotland
will be performing.
A replica SE5A will be flown
by Neil Geddes who also built
the wooden plane.
Picture: Ross Forsyth
Right: Presenter Alasdair Hutton
(right) with Highland Military
Tattoo director Major General
Seymour Monro.
Picture: SPP
Left: The best of traditional
and contemporary Highland
culture will be celebrated
with fiddlers and pipe bands,
Highland dancers and Gaelic
singers.
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
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The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
SEPTEMBER 5-13. BLAS
B
las celebrates its 10th
anniversary this year with
another exciting programme
of Gaelic and traditional music
showcasing the talent and culture of
the Highlands and Islands.
The festival takes place in venues
large and small across a part of the
world known for its beauty, inhabited by
people famous for their hospitality.
among the many highlights this
year is a new commission interpreting
Duncan Bán MacIntyre’s epic poem
Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain in Mìorbhail
nam Beann, and a special concert
celebratìing the success of the
community-based Fèis movement.
This year, complimentary food
tasters will be served to audiences at
these events.
l Buy tickets for all events at www.
blas-festival.com
September 5, Blas Commission
2014 Premiere supported by
Scottish Natural Heritage. Mìorbhail
nam Beann by Iain MacFarlane, with
Hamish Napier, Ewan Robertson
and Ewen Henderson. Great Glen
House, Inverness.
Duncan Bán MacIntyre’s In Praise of
Ben Dorain is thought to be one of the
greatest nature poems composed in
the Gaelic language.
The poem is the focus of a new
bilingual commission from renowned
fiddler Iain MacFarlane using music,
images and words to explore the past
and present relationship between
people, land and culture.
September 6, Suabhachas: Blas
10th anniversary celebration.
Empire Theatre, Eden Court,
Inverness.
Prepare to party with Blas friends old
and new. acclaimed Irish- folk group
Cherish the ladies make a welcome
return.
They are joined by BBC Radio 2
Young Folk award winners The Mischa
MacPherson Trio; acclaimed virtuoso
pipers Ross ainslie and Jarlath
Henderson on scottish bagpipes
and Irish Uilleann pipes; the young
musicians of Coisir G, and poet and
novelist Martin MacIntyre.
September 7, Celtic Praise
with Gaelic Choirs. St Andrew’s
Cathedral, Inverness.
September 11, Do Bheatha Dhan
Dùthaich – Highland Homecoming.
The Empire Theatre, Eden Court,
Inverness.
Enjoy a warm welcome home with
a modern twist on folk traditions with
top bands Macanta and Mànran.
Expect to be blown away by
celebrated pipers angus Maccoll
snr and angus Maccoll Jnr from
Benderloch near Oban, who represent
a piping heritage that spans
generations.
They will set the pace for the Cheryl
Heggie Dancers. BBC Radio scotland’s
Travelling Folk will broadcast live from
this event.
September 12, Glòir nan Caman
– Home and Away, featuring Hugh
Dan Maclennan, Gary Innes,
Linda Macleod, The Macgillivrays
Of Calrossie and Calum Alex
Macmillan. One Touch Theatre
Eden Court, Inverness.
Celebrating shinty’s influence
world-wide and marking the impact
of World War I on the game and its
communities, Home and away brings
together some of the finest musicians,
images and singers to celebrate the
game of the Gael.
Centre stage will be an historic
set of bagpipes which have been
played on the Brazilian beaches at
Copacabana and the Grand Canyon,
having survived the rigours of the First
World War.
Home and away will also feature the
story of the MacGillivray Cup, one of
shinty’s most prized trophies.
Renowned fiddler
Iain MacFarlane.
The Macgillivrays.
The Mischa MacPherson Trio.
Hamish Napier.
Ewen Henderson.
Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson.
September 13, Blas Grand Finale
– Ceòl nam Fèis. Empire Theatre,
Eden Court, Inverness.
Celebrating the Fèis movement,
this concert will feature young people
from Fèisean across scotland working
alongside some of scotland’s bestknown traditional musicians who have
taken part in Fèisean themselves.
since its inception Blas has made
a virtue of ensuring young people are
involved in the festival.
In its tenth year it is fitting that
the young people from the Fèisean
are centre stage. These showcase
concerts have been extremely
popular in the past, so get your
tickets early.
Ewan Robertson.
Angus
Mccoll
snr.
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
5
SEPTEMBER 12-14. MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. BUGHT PARK, INVERNESS
T
he biggest event on the
international highland
Games circuit – the Masters
World Championships – will cross
the Atlantic to take place at Bught
Park in Inverness.
For those unfamiliar with the
growth of highland Games outside
Scotland in recent years, it should
be noted that when the Masters
was first held in Arkansas in
2001, only 30 athletes took part,
and the competition lasted for just
one day.
This year, thanks in part to the
Year of homecoming, increased
overseas interest and the fine job
the Inverness highland Games
Committee did hosting the event
in 2006 and 2009
means the committe
is looking forward
to welcoming a
world-record of
180 competitors
from 13
countries this
time around.
Originally it
had been intended
that the event would
be staged in Northern
Meeting Park as part of the
celebrations to mark the 150th
anniversary of the world’s oldest
highland Games stadium. But
once the entries started flooding
in, committee members realised
they were going to need a bigger
venue and more time. So the
decision was taken to move the
event to Bught Park and introduce
a third day of competition.
The format of this year’s event
has been designed to enable each
of the competitors to participate
in a number of additional activities
and get the most of their visit to
Inverness.
While each competitor will
take part in eight events over
the course of the three days, the
committee has ensured athletes
and their families can take part in
the Parade of the highland Clans
on Friday, watch the Camanachd
Cup Final on Saturday, enjoy the
Kirking of the Council on Sunday
and take part in the Tomatin Toss
on the Sunday.
The programme has also been
designed to
enable many of the
male competitors to
attempt the Inverness
highland Games’ famous 252
pound Stonemason’s Stone. For
female competitors, the 176
pound Inverness Ladies’ Stone
awaits.
The action will start at 9am on
both Friday and Saturday and at
11am on Sunday.
It is planned that each
competitor will complete seven
events by Saturday evening, which
means Sunday could be one of
the most exciting days ever seen
on a highland Games field.
As each of the competitors
steps on to the field to throw,
what needs to be done to
secure each of the 13 World
Championships at stake will be
clear for spectators.
Admission to the event and the
Tomatin Toss World Simultaneous
Caber Tossing World Record
Attempt is free.
l Spectators wishing to enjoy
the Camanachd Cup Final on
Saturday afternoon will need to
pay at the gate as normal.
All pictures by Lynn Boland Richardson
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
6
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
SEPTEMBER 12.
PARADE OF THE
HIGHLAND CLANS.
INVERNESS
CITY CENTRE
World Champion athlete Kriss Akabusi (left) with
his mentor, former army sergeant Ian Mackenzie
who will join Kriss to lead Clan Mackenzie in the
Parade of the Clans.
T
he inaugural Parade of the highland Clans
looks like being one of the highlights of the
highland homecoming Festival and should
be a spectacular sight as the torchlight procession
makes its way through Inverness city centre to
Northern Meeting Park.
The parade is being organised by highland
Council and the Association of highland Clans
and Societies, and this year’s parade will feature
a number of special guests, with the St Andrews
Society of Central Illinois USA Pipe Band joining the
Inverness British Legion Band for the evening.
Over 200 Masters World Championship
competitors and judges from 14 countries will join
the representatives of the AhCS member clans.
The chieftain of the parade will be the earl of
Cromartie, John Mackenzie, and to honour the
chieftain, members of Clan Mackenzie will lead
the parade. highland sports fans will recognise
one famous face at the head of the Mackenzies
– Olympic silver medallist and world champion
athlete Kriss Akabusi.
he will be made an honorary member of Clan
MacKenzie in a special ceremony in Inverness
before the Parade, in recognition of his work for
charity.
Kriss jointly leads a programme in Bedfordshire
which aims to inspire disadvantaged young people,
encourage them into the workplace and give them
hope and faith in their future.
Kriss named the programme Project Mackenzie
after his mentor in the army, Sergeant Ian
Mackenzie, who believed in him and encouraged
him onto athletic greatness.
The Parade of the highland Clans will pass
Inverness Town house at 9.15pm.
SEPTEMBER 13. HIGHLAND CLANS EXHIBITION.
INVERNESS TOWN HOUSE
N
o homecoming would
be complete without a
family get-together. And
the clans gathering for Highland
Homecoming are looking
forward to welcoming everyone
“home” in a special exhibition.
With displays of clan tartans,
crests, flags and memorabilia,
each participating Highland
clan will have information on its
origin, history and culture.
organised by the Association
of Highland Clans and Societies
(AHCS), this exhibition aims to
spread of knowledge about the
nature and history of clans in
the Highlands – the important
cultural and social role they
once had and still have.
As AHCS chairman Graeme
Mackenzie explained, Highland
clans are not just for tourists.
“Clan societies in the
Highlands are active bodies,
meeting regularly to organise
social events such as ceilidhs
and dinners.
“They raise money for
charities associated with
their clans. Macmillan Cancer
Support fis an example. The
charity provides the much loved
Macmillan Nurses and was
founded in 1911 by a Bard of
the Clan MacMillan Society.
“Clans also provide
information for visitors at
Highland Games.
“It’s great to have this chance
to meet people in the heart of
the Highland capital to tell them
more about what we do and how
much fun we have doing it.”
More than 30 Highland clans
have signed up as members
of AHCS since it was formed
The AHCS tent
at Inverness
Highland
Games gave
visitors the
chance to meet
the clans and
discover their
history and
culture.
in 2013 – to celebrate their
differences and promote their
common heritage.
If your surname is not
represented among the clans
in the exhibition, find out if you
belong to a sept or have an
affiliation with a Highland clan
and discover your extended
“family”. You can “meet the
clans” from 1-4pm. Entry is free.
l www.highlandclans.org
SEPTEMBER 13. INVERNESS PARKRUN. BUGHT PARK, INVERNESS
A
LL over the world, every week,
free, timed runs are held in
local parks by community
volunteers.
Called parkrun, the event is
designed for all ages and all abilities.
It doesn’t matter how fast or fit you
are, it’s about taking part. And the
most northerly parkrun in the world
is held every Saturday at Bught Park
in Inverness.
Local runners on the 5K timed
circuit have, on occasion, been
joined by parkrun enthusiasts from
across globe on holiday in the area.
But on September 13 Inverness
parkrun will be sharing the course
with a record-breaking 200 heavies
taking part in the Masters World
Championships.
l To join the Inverness parkrun and
get your weekends off to a flying start
visit http://www.parkrun.org.uk/
inverness/
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
SEPTEMBER
13. SCOTTISH
HYDRO
CAMANACHD
CUP FINAL.
BUGHT PARK,
INVERNESS
S
hinty’S BiG day out comes
home to inverness as part
of the Scotland’s biggest
year for sport and the national
homecoming celebrations.
two top teams, Kingussie
(bottom right) and Glen Urquhart,
will compete for the Scottish
hydro Camanachd Cup, shinty’s
most prized possession and one
of Scotland’s oldest sporting
trophies.
Join thousands of spectators to
witness the thrill of Scotland’s allaction indigenous sport.
Dating back over a century, the
Camanachd Cup tournament is the
national knockout competition for
senior shinty clubs and is played
over six rounds.
A key date in the national
sporting calendar, this year’s
final promises to be an epic
encounter between two giants of
the game.
Kingussie have a long history
as winners of the trophy, whereas
Glen Urquhart have the chance to
lift the cup for the first time in the
club’s history.
this year’s final is one of
highland homecoming’s flagship
events and also forms part of the
Blas Festival.
As well as the main match,
there is the chance to see
shinty’s stars of the future at
two under-14 national finals:
the MacMaster Cup Final and
the Scottish hydro Development
trophy. there will be live music
performances from Blas Festival
musicians, trade stalls and a range
of the finest local food and drink
to enjoy.
throw up is at 2.30pm with
tickets now on sale from Eden
Court theatre.
l www.shinty.com
7
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
8
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
SEPTEMBER 14. THE TOMATIN TOSS,
WORLD RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT.
BUGHT PARK, INVERNESS
T
Inverness Provost Alex
Graham and Dave Garman with
Danny the Clydesdale, which
has been helping haul out the
cabers needed for the world
record attempt.
O
f all the events being
staged as part of the
Highland Homecoming
festival there can be little
doubt which one looks set to
become a YouTube sensation –
the Tomatin Toss.
Thanks to the folks at
Guinness World Records,
simultaneous caber tossing
has come a long way since it
first appeared in the USA as a
crowd-pleasing way of grabbing
media attention and publicising
or ending Highland Games.
At one time it was simply
enough to get dozens of cabers
into the air at the same time
and count them. Things got a lot
more serious when Guinness
announced that simultaneous
SEPTEMBER 14. KIRKING Of THE COUNCIL,
INVERNESS TOWN HOUSE AND OLD
HIGH STREET ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH
caber tossing recorded
attempts needed to have some
rules. They announced that
every caber had to be at least
14ft 9ins long, had to weigh at
least 55lbs and that at least
50 cabers had to be turned in
a scoring manner for Guinness
even to consider them as a
world record.
In 2013 the fergus Ontario
Highland Games in Canada
made six attempts at the record
and turned 49 cabers. Last
month they finally managed to
establish a record by turning 52
cabers.
And on Sunday, September
14 at 7pm, Bught Park in
Inverness is going to be the
scene of a world record attempt
he Kirking of the Council
is a tradition which
happens in many Scottish
towns and cities, and in
Inverness its origins can be
traced back some 400 years.
The colourful ceremony is a
highlight of the city’s year,
marking the close of the
summer festival season.
The day begins with a
parade from the Town house,
including pipe bands,
uniformed youth
organisations and
representatives
of various
aspects of the
life of the city,
including the
University
of the
highlands
and Islands
and schools.
They
accompany
the Provost of
Inverness and
members of the
City of Inverness
Area Committee,
many of them in
traditional robes.
Also taking part in this year’s
procession will be competitors
that could be the craziest thing from the Masters World
many of us will ever see.
Championship, which coincides
When it emerged that the
with Kirking weekend.
Masters World Championships
The Kirking service takes
had attracted a world record
place in the Old high Church
number of Heavies to compete
on St Michael’s mount. It’s
in Inverness, the opportunity
the oldest church in Inverness
for the Inverness Highland
dating from 565AD, when
Games to attempt this record
St Columba of Iona brought
was too good to miss.
the Christian message to the
David Garman on the Revack Pictish King Brude.
Estate near Grantown has spent
The Provost and councillors,
over six months preparing the
together with other
biggest pile of cabers anyone
representatives of civic life, are
has ever seen. It should take
invited to join the congregation
Inverness just 10 seconds to
for the morning service led by
turn those cabers and establish the minister of Old high Church,
a world record that may never
the Rev Peter W Nimmo.
be broken. It will be quite a
The service seeks the
night on the banks of the River
blessing of God on the work
Ness.
of the council and the life of
The Kirking party gathered outside the
church.
Pictures: Ewen Weatherspoon
The parade through the city.
the city. It is a time to reflect
on the responsibility of us all
to promote the common good
of our life together in our city.
There is always an ecumenical
element to the service.
The Kirking celebrations are
open to everyone who wants to
attend, of all faiths and none,
so all can enjoy the spectacle of
the Kirking parade and join the
congegation for the service.
The parade starts at
Inverness Town house from
10.45am and the service
begins at 11.15am.
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
9
SEPTEMBER 21. HIGHLAND TRADITIONAL
STRENGTH FESTIVAL. NORTHERN
MEETING PARK, INVERNESS
B
uilding on the
success of last year’s
Highland’s Strongest Man
competition, and the reaction
to the Highland Strongwomen
event staged at July’s inverness
Highland games, the inaugural
Highland Traditional Strength
Festival is set to attract a
bumper crowd.
Previously strength
events staged in
inverness have
been restricted
to competitors
who were
based in the
Highlands. But
the rules have
been changed
by organiser
gavin laird to give
local competitors the
chance to face the very
best strength athletes from
around the uK.
Among the stars heading
to the northern Meeting Park
to compete are Scotland’s
Strongest Man finalists Stephen
Cherrie and Tom Stoltman. Their
clash with English Strongest
Man finalists James Clayton
and Paddy McMahon will
feature two of the most difficult
challenges seen on Scottish
soil: a strength-sapping 400kg
(880lb) Yoke Carry, followed by
a daunting 300kg Farmers Walk.
Competitors will also face
a single lift competition to
discover who is Scotland’s
Strongest deadlifter, before
attempting one of the oldest
challenges in Scotland’s
Highland games: lifting the
famous 252lb Stonemason’s
Stone over a five foot bar – a
feat that can trace its roots
back to 1822.
Peter Macdonald-Brown
Highland’s Strongest Man in
2013 won’t be competing this
year as he will be looking after
his newborn baby son – so the
field is wide open.
The festival will also include
SEPTEMBER 20-21. INVERNESS cRAFT
FESTIVAL. INVERNESS TOwN HOuSE
A
s part of the Year of
Homecoming 2014, the
contemporary craft event
group, Exclusively Highlands will
be hosting the Highlands’ first
Inverness Craft Festival.
Exclusively Highlands is
a group of passionate and
professional crafters from all over
the north of scotland who make a
wide range of contemporary, highend crafts and food.
The festival has been created
to include as wide a range of
exclusive items as possible:
several different kinds of jewellery
– silversmithing, glass and resin;
a colourful selection of both
felted and Harris Tweed items;
original watercolours by local
artists, pottery and photographs.
Hand-made and hand-crafted
foods include jams, preserves
and chutneys and wonderful
cakes and confectionary from
renowned Inverness baker Kevin
Macleod of Leachkin Bakery.
The idea behind the festival
is to showcase the depth of skill
and expertise in the Highlands.
Isabel stewart from Exclusively
Highlands has been arranging
popular craft events across
scotland for over eight years, but
this is the first dedicated craft
festival.
“The inaugural Inverness Craft
Top: George Reid and Robert McCrum in the backhold wrestling.
Above: Michelle Smith from Culloden gets set for a lift and (inset)
Peter Macdonald-Brown, last year’s strongest man winner.
a strongwoman contest,
with Highland’s Strongest
Woman 2014 Michelle Smith
and second place finisher
Karen Sutherland among
those stepping up to take on
Britain’s Strongest Woman, the
incredible donna Moore.
By popular demand, a
female version of the 114kg
Stonemason’s Stone, the 176lb
Highland lady’s Stone, will
make its debut. it will be very
interesting to see if any of the
competitors can write her her
name into the record books by
lifting it over the 4ft bar.
Completing the programme
for an unforgettable afternoon
of traditional Scottish sport will
be the first staging of the new
Highland Backhold Wrestling
Championship.
Reigning European Champion
Frazer Hirsch will be the event
favourite, but with a number
of the Mixed Martial Arts
fighters based at the Forge
gym in inverness making their
Backhold Wrestling debuts,
anything could happen. The
festival starts at 2pm and
admission is free. don’t forget
your camera.
Sumptuous cupcakes by Kevin
Macleod from Leachkin Bakery
in Inverness.
Felted hand puppets by Ulrike Muehle-Macdonald from Wooly
Felt Designs.
Festival promises to show that
the contemporary craft industry
in the Highlands is both dynamic
and exciting,” Isabel said.
“As event organiser I have
carefully selected the best
examples of different crafts that
we have in abundance in the
Highlands and I’m thrilled to
arrange this festival.
“We are all delighted and
honoured to be part of the
Homecoming celebrations and I
know the festival will be a huge
success.”
l The Inverness Craft Festival is
open between 10am and 4pm on
both days and entry is free.
Beach-scape jewellery by Janet
Casey from Nairn Glass.
A fused acrylic cuff by Natalie Aird Glass.
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
10
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
SEPTEMBER 28. BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON AND
FESTIVAL OF RUNNING. BUGHT PARK, INVERNESS
T
HE race takes one of the most
scenic marathon courses in the
country. Following the shores of
Loch Ness, the 26.2 mile route includes
views guaranteed to take your breath
away.
This year’s marathon will also host
the Scottish Marathon Championships
for the fourth year in a row, and with
the chance to win a prestigious national
medal, along with a £1,500 prize for the
first man and woman, it’s likely to attract
many of the country’s top runners.
As well as the long distance route
there’s the Baxters River Ness 10K,
a 10K corporate challenge for teams,
the River Ness 5K fun run and the
400m Wee Nessie for “little monsters”
aged five and under. So there really is
something for everyone and every ability.
This year, as part of Homecoming
Scotland, a call has gone out to all
clans. All runners in the marathon and
10K have the option to register their
allegiance to a clan and wear tartan for
the Clan Challenge 2014.
Race director Malcolm Sutherland
hopes proud Scots from all over the
world will take part and wear a touch of
tartan on their running kit.
He said: “We are urging Scots at home
and abroad, or anyone with an affinity to
Scotland, to come and help push their
clan to victory. We want to find out which
clan is the most heavily represented in
the races and which clan has the fastest
feet. The results of the Clan Challenge
will be based on number of runners from
each clan who successfully complete
either race. At present we have
around 1,800 entrants in
the Clan Challenge across
all events. Entries are
still coming in thick and
fast and we expect this
to continue right up
to the closing date on
September 8.”
More than 9,100 people
took part last year, with
runners travelling to the event
from all over the UK and from more than
30 overseas countries. They generated
an estimated £803,096 for charity.
Even if you’re not running there’s
plenty to see in the Event Village at
Bught Park, with free entry.
The Baxters Food and Drink Fayre
will offer a range of mouthwatering hot
Runners make their way
round the scenic course
last year and left, Kate
Hardcastle, who took part in
the Wee Nessie Run.
and cold food to keep spectators and
runners fully fuelled.
Baxters will also be holding tastings
and cooking demonstrations.
For kids, activities range from super
jumper trampolines to a bouncy castle,
inflatable slide and merry-go-round.
A pipe band will play at various
points throughout the day
and there will be acoustic
entertainment on Saturday
and Sunday to add to the
festival atmosphere.
The Sports Expo
includes a huge range
of performance running
products and offers from
leading brands. The expo will
also be open on Saturday, along
with pre-race registration – and the
Pasta Party. Guaranteed entry for the
marathon closed on July 1, although
charity, club and overseas runner places
are still available. Entry for all other
races is open until September 8.
l To sign up or for info visit www.
lochnessmarathon.com
The start
of last
year’s
5K race.
Picture:
SPP
When the going gets tough, the tough
get going
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
11
SEPTEMBER 30 To ocToBER 2. ToMATIN SINGLE MALT HoMEcoMING
PRo-AM GoLF ToURNAMENT. cASTLE STUART GoLF LINKS,
RoYAL DoRNocH GoLF cLUB AND NAIRN GoLF cLUB
J
ust two days after the
Ryder Cup at Gleneagles
in september, another
strong contingent of European
golfers will arrive in the
Highlands to compete for a
prestigious prize.
A field of 280 players
from across the uK and
from as far as Italy, France,
Denmark, Belgium and
America have lined up to
take part in the tomatin
single Malt Homecoming
Pro-Am – Professional Golfers’
Association (PGA) tournament.
One of the anticipated
70 teams playing will be
captained by former Ryder
Cup captain Bernard
Gallacher. He played in
eight Ryder Cups and was
captain three times, leading
his team to victory at Oak
Hill in 1995. Money raised
during the tournament
will support a nationwide
campaign Gallacher
launched in December to
make automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) widely
available at golf clubs and
driving ranges in the uK and
Ireland.
Now in its third year, the
54-hole competition is open
to teams from anywhere
in the world consisting of
three amateurs (ladies
or gentlemen) plus a
professional of their choice.
teams that do not include a
pro are allocated a leading
player from the Professional
Golfers’ Association scotland
Order of Merit.
Brian Mair, secretary of The
PGA in scotland said: “In this
momentous year for scottish
golf, the tomatin Homecoming
single Malt Pro-Am will be
a fitting event to follow the
Ryder Cup, a real celebration
of all that is great in scotland
– great golf and wonderful
whisky.”
All three courses played
are part of Highland Golf
Links (HGL) – a group which
promotes destination breaks
in partnership with local
hotels.
Castle stuart Golf Links
hosted the scottish Open for
three successive years, and
the competition returns to the
course again in 2016. Despite
only opening in 2009 it is
consistently placed among
the top 100 courses in the
world by prestigious golf
magazines. This year Royal
Dornoch’s Championship
Course was ranked the 6th
best in the world by Golf
Digest. The Nairn Golf Club
hosted the Walker Cup in
1999 and the Curtis Cup in
2012. It will also be home
to the Home Internationals
competition in August 2016.
Fraser Cromarty, CEO at The
Nairn Golf Club and chairman
of HGL, said: “The tomatin
Pro-Am is now in its fourth
year and it’s shaping up to be
the biggest yet. It’s a good, fun
event which showcases three
of the best links courses in
the country.
“We are indebted to
tomatin for its continued
support for the tournament
which this year will be extra
special with the involvement
of such a respected and
charismatic figure as Bernard
Gallacher and coming so
soon after the Ryder Cup in
scotland.”
l There are still vacancies for
amateur teams to take part
in the tournament. Anyone
wishing further details should
contact Fraser Cromarty on
01667 458930 or fcromarty@
nairngolfclub.co.uk
Entry is £1,700 per team
of three, which includes three
rounds of competition golf
with a prize fund of £60,000,
a post-tournament gala dinner
and the opportunity to tour
tomatin Distillery.
The beautiful seaside setting
of Royal Dornoch golf course.
Phil Mickelson sinks a 10-foot putt
at Castle Stuart.
The clubhouse
at Nairn golf
course.
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
12
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
OCTOBER 10-18. Am mòd NàisEANTA RìOghAil.
ThE ROyAl NATiONAl mòd. EdEN COURT, iNVERNEss
s
All girl folk
band Gria.
cotland’s biggest Gaelic cultural
festival returns to Inverness
this autumn for the first time
since 1997. organised by an comunn
Gàidhealach, the annual competitive
showcase of Gaelic linguistic and cultural
heritage gives people of all ages a chance
to perform across a range of disciplines,
including Gaelic music and song, Highland
dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and
literature.
It will attract thousands of competitors
and spectators from throughout scotland,
the UK and all corners of the globe,
including the Usa, australia and canada.
as well as the competitions
and concerts there’s an
exciting programme of
Mòd Fringe events,
with ceilidhs and live
music in venues
across the city.
Mòd manager
James Graham
said: “The bread
and butter of the
Mòd itself are
the competitions
– there are more
than 200. But the
competition side is
not for everyone, so the
Fringe has become really
important.
“It helps us open up the Mòd and bring
Gaelic culture to a different audience –
Gaels and non-Gaels come together to
celebrate talented musicians from around
the world.”
on october 10 the Mòd’s opening
ceremony will light up the city with an
atmospheric torchlight procession.
starting from Inverness castle, The Parade
of the Gaels will march through the town
accompanied by pipe bands before
arriving at Eden court – the main venue for
this year’s Mòd – for the opening concert.
This showcase event features footstomping, authentic Highland tradition
with a contemporary twist from skipinnish,
and award-winning tunes from up-andcoming, all-girl scottish folk band Gria,
who are joined by piper and whistle player
Kyle Howie.
The Mòd Fringe also includes a Fiddlers’
Rally hosted by Bruce MacGregor, a
special concert to commemorate the
100th anniversary of World War one,
groundbreaking Gaelic street theatre from
Skippinish will get
the feet tapping at the
opening concert.
Skerryvore
and Willie
Campbell,
inset above,
will provide
contemporary
music.
ariel Killick and contemporary music from
cruinn, Willie campbell, and skerryvore.
as well as the competitions, the
main highlights of the traditional Mòd
programme include: the shinty Mòd cup at
Bught Park, a clàrsach concert, the Rural
choir concert, the convener’s cèilidh and
the fiercely fought competition for the
lovat and tullibardine shield – the premier
regional choir trophy. In a grand finale,
the Mòd will end on october 18 with a
spectacular march of massed choirs.
any willing singers are welcome to add
their voices to the choirs, who will be
joined by winning conductors from the
Mòd and led by the Royal British legion
Pipe Band.
The procession starts in the crown
area from 11am and makes its way
through Inverness city centre to the castle
Esplanade, where the Royal national Mòd
banner will be handed over to next year’s
hosts – oban.
l For the full Royal national Mòd
programme and Fringe events visit www.
ancomunn.co.uk
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
13
OCTOBER 11. nORTh Of
SCOTland highland
danCing ChampiOnShipS.
invERnESS lEiSuRE, BughT
lanE, invERnESS
Last year’s winners.
T
here’s everything to
dance for at the annual
North of scotland (NOs)
Championship – the penultimate
scottish Official Board of
highland Dancing championship
of the year.
The best dancers in the area
not only have a chance to gain
titles and trophies but could also
win the honour of representing
Inverness and the region at
the scottish area finals – the
only highland dancing team
competition held in scotland – in
May 2015.
This year, both Inverness and
North of scotland teams secured
title placings – an amazing
achievement as they compete
alongside some of the biggest
dance schools in the country.
There are various events
at the NOs championships
throughout the day. The confined
championships for dancers
from the area, and intermediate
competitions start at 9am. Prechampionships begin around
11am with national dances
from 12.15pm and the open
championship – for dancers from
throughout scotland – at 2.30pm.
Two hundred and fifty dancers
of all ages will take to the stage
and compete in the highland
Fling, sword Dance, sean
Truibhas and reel and perform
four national dances including
the highland Laddie and Blue
Bonnets.
With two pipers providing all
the music for every competition,
it’s not just the dancers who will
be put through their paces.
Organiser and former titlewinning competitor Wendy
Buchan said: “It’s wonderful
to see the new wave of young
dancers just starting out, as well
as those competing for senior
champion titles.
“Watching them progress
keeps this local traditional form
of sport alive. It a true festival
of highland Dancing and it relies
on the support of local dancing
teachers, parents and volunteers
who are there from 7am to help
set everything up and ensure it
all goes smoothly.
“Whether acting as a steward
or typing all the results in, our
team of volunteers do it all – for
the love of dancing.”
The event is open to anyone
wanting to watch amazing
highland dancing. Tickets for the
day are £5, sold at the door.
For updates, find North of
scotland highland Dancing
Championships on Facebook.
OCTOBER 16-18. invERnESS STREET ThEaTRE
fESTival. viCTORian maRkET, EaSTgaTE ShOpping
CEnTRE and high STREET, invERnESS
i
t’s three days of
madness and mayhem
in Inverness City Centre
– and everyone’s favourite
grannies will be revving back
into the city centre on their
souped-up tartan shopping
trollies. One of the most
popular acts in the Inverness
street Theatre Festival,
Granny turismo have
entertained the crowds with
their trollied dance routines
every year since the event
began five years ago.
It’s just one of eight
different street performance
acts from across the country
expected in the city centre
over the three days of the
festival.
Local talent will also hit
the city streets. For the third
year running, the festival is
working in partnership with
Eden Court to enable people
of all ages to develop a
performance act to be staged
alongside the professionals.
The festival is funded by
Inverness BID, Eastgate
shopping Centre and the
Common Good Fund and
this year has also attracted
funding from Event scotland
as part of Homecoming
scotland.
Craig Duncan chairman
of Inverness BID said:
“Inverness street Theatre
Festival is a fantastic event
and continues to bring
increased footfall into the
city centre. A survey we held
last year of people watching
the street performances
revealed that 72 per cent
had come specifically for the
festival and would not have
come into the city centre
otherwise.”
Zooming grannies and
other zany sights will be
frolicking in the city centre
from 12.30-4pm each day.
The fun is free!
l www.invernessbid.co.uk
Granny Turismo race up
the High Street.
Pictures: SPP
Left: Kelsey, Dean and Lee MacLean meet
Hodman Dodmanott from The Flying
Buttresses.
Above: Caitlin MacRae watches Ella Bella
of Cats Choir in the Victorian Market.
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
14
The celebraTions sTarT on 1st september
OCTOBER 26. CHEST, HEART AND STROKE SCOTLAND CULLODEN
RUN. CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD, INVERNESS
W
ith historic landmarks
at every turn, a great
atmosphere and a chance
to raise money for Chest, heart and
Stroke Scotland, it’s easy to see why
the Culloden Run was the outright
winner of the Best Sporting Event
award in last year’s highlands and
islands tourism Awards.
The legendary Culloden Battlefield
provides the stunning setting for this
race, which last year attracted more
than 700 runners from all over the
UK and beyond. This year one lady is
travelling from Canada to take part.
There’s a choice of two race routes.
The traditional 10K is a relatively flat
race which skirts around Culloden
Moor. The 17.46k race pays homage
to the Battle of Culloden in 1746
and includes views of Clava Cairns,
the River Nairn and the historic rail
viaduct, as well as the battlefield.
Both races start and finish at
the National trust for Scotland’s
battlefield visitor centre, which hosts
event facilities and provides the
chance to see its stunning, state-ofthe-art exhibition, take a guided tour
and walk the hallowed battlefield
ground.
ChSS fundraising manager for
the north of Scotland Paul Corrigan
said: “it’s a fantastic atmosphere.
Battlefield staff get dressed up in
historic costume to cheer on the
runners.
“There are usually bagpipes playing
in the background and lots of people
to cheer competitors on. it’s a great
place to run.” At the end of each race,
every battle hardened runner gets a
huge welcome back at the centre and
is rewarded with a well-earned goody
bag and event medal.
The Culloden Run is open to
anyone over 16 and spectators are
warmly welcomed with ample free car
parking and lots to do at the visitor
centre, which is only five miles east of
inverness.
Organised by Chest, heart and
Stroke Scotland, all proceeds from the
event go to the charity, which works to
improve the quality of life for people
in Scotland affected by chest, heart
and stroke illness. A donation of £1
from every entry fee is also donated to
support NtS Culloden.
l www.thecullodenrun.com
The start of last
year’s 10K run.
Picture: Callum
Mackay
OCTOBER 18. MARINE HARVEST SHINTY/HURLING
INTERNATIONAL. BUGHT PARK, INVERNESS
S
COtlANd’S indigenous all-action sport
of shinty meets ireland’s hugely popular
equivalent, hurling, to contest the Marine
harvest Shinty/hurling international. Join
hundreds of spectators and witness the clash of
the ash between these two ancient sports.
The Shinty/hurling international Series
provides the opportunity for Scotland’s top
players to challenge their irish (hurling/
camogie) counterparts in a unique game played
under combined rules.
Selection for Scotland’s national shinty
team represents the pinnacle of the sport’s
player development pathway, and is the only
opportunity for players to represent their country
playing their sport.
The links between the Camanachd
Association and Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) stretch back over a century, and to
recognise the shared history, close language
and cultural links, there will be a celebration
of Gaelic language and culture, live music
performances from Scottish and irish groups
and local produce on offer.
This includes support from Colmcille and
Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the talented young
traditional musicians taking part in the event.
The return leg of the series, played in Newry
on October 25, will also see Scotland’s under-21
national shinty squad take on their counterparts
and Scotland’s women’s shinty squad take on a
Camogie select side.
Scotland’s Finlay
Macrae has to deal
with the challenge
from Ireland’s
Conor Woods in
last year’s contest
at Bught Park,
Inverness.
Picture: Neil
Paterson
OCTOBER 10-19. RACE THE
CASTLES ORIENTEERING
FESTIVAL. EDINBURGH, STIRLING
AND ROYAL DEESIDE
O
RiENtEERS competing in this
homecoming Scotland event
will have a chance be part of the
training camp for the World Orienteering
Championships taking place in the
highlands in August next year.
in that event, the highland, moorland
and forest habitats of darnaway and
Glen Affric will be navigated for the long,
middle and relay races, while a mix of
Moray coastline and urban areas in
Forres and Nairn will be used for mixed
sprint relay, sprint qualifiers and the
sprint final.
Physically and technically demanding,
the natural terrain will provide a fitting
challenge worthy of world champions!
The World Championships have only
been staged twice before in the UK – in
Aviemore in 1976 and inverness in
1999. And it’s rare for the championships
to be held in the same region twice.
So inverness is delighted to welcome
the return of the event from August 1-7
2015. The World Championships will be
held in tandem with the Scottish 6 day
event from August 1-8. So the expected
5,000 competitors in the 6 day event
will be able to watch the world’s best
orienteers in action, then run in their
footsteps over the same exciting terrain.
l www.woc2015.org
A Scottish Provincial Press supplement
15
OCTOBER 30-31. HALLOWEEN HOMECOMING.
NESS ISLANDS, INVERNESS
T
he highland homecoming Festival
will end with an event that has quickly
established itself as a much-loved
tradition in Inverness – the family-friendly
halloween showdown on Ness Islands.
Organised by Arts in Motion, eden Court
Creative and highland Council’s lighting
department, this year’s show will feature an
assortment of ghostly visitors the likes of
which Inverness has never seen before.
The reason for the spookiness reaching
new heights is simple. As soon as the
highland homecoming Festival was
announced, Blackbeard the Pirate decided
that Ness Islands deserved its own
homecoming Festival, and before anyone
could stop him he invited every ghost that
has visited Ness Islands in the past 200
years to attend or walk the plank.
With ghosts, ghouls, aliens, pirates,
vampires and surprises lurking around
every corner, or standing quietly behind
you in the darkness, you may wish to take
a friend who doesn’t scream too loudly and
has no chance of running as fast as you
can.
The Ness Islands halloween Show is open
from 6.30pm – 8.30pm and admission is
free. Car parking is limited around the site
so please use broomsticks where possible.
OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 9.
INVERNESS CURLING FESTIVAL.
INVERNESS ICE RINK
T
hIS year we have witnessed
success at the Winter Olympics
and Paralympics, passion at
the World Cup, sportsmanship at the
Commonwealth Games and the Ryder
Cup.
highland homecoming
has seen the return of
the Masters World
Championship to
Inverness, the clash
of the ash for the
Camanachd Cup,
the Baxters Loch
Ness Marathon
and the Tomatin
54-hole Pro-Am golf
competition.
The highlands
can round off the
year with a showcase
of another national
sport. The Inverness
Curling Festival is a new
event.
Over nine days more
than 200 athletes will compete,
showcasing the range of curling
through different ages and abilities
with adults, juniors and wheelchair
curlers taking part in three different
competitions. The Inverness Skins
Curling Competition celebrates its
12th year and now forms part of the
Goldline Scottish Curling Tour, which
attracts curlers from across Scotland
and beyond. Now its third year, The
highland Wheelchair Curling
Triples competition also
attracts curlers from
all over Scotland.
Last year the
home rink took
the title and
will be looking
to defend it
this year. The
highland Junior
International
has been
running for
33 years and
last year, for the
first time, formed
part of the Royal
Caledonian Curling
Club’s Asham under-21
slam. Inverness welcomed a boys’
rink from Poland last year and it is
hoped more entries will come from
abroad this year.
l www.inverness-ice-centre.co.uk
16
Highland Homecoming Scotland 2014
Published by Scottish Provincial Press, New Century House, Stadium Road, Inverness. Printed by Highland Web Offset, Dochcarty Road, Dingwall.