Boys’ Brigade members take to streets to mark centenary

two companies have been based in Inverness for 100 years

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EYES FRONT: The 6th and 7th Companies of the Boys’ Brigade in Merkinch, Inverness, march to church yesterday morning as part of their annual parade

Hundreds of Boys’ Brigade members from throughout the Highlands marched through the streets of Inverness yesterday as the organisation celebrated 100 years in the city.

The 6th and 7th Inverness companies led the parade through Merkinch to mark their centenary in the area.

Other Boys’ Brigade companies from communities in the Highlands also took part in the march which ended at Trinity Church.

The boys then attended a service with the Rev Alan Main, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and a former brigade president.

The service was the climax of a weekend of celebratory events to mark 100 years in Merkinch.

On Saturday, past members attended a dinner and dance in the Lochardil House Hotel. Although numbers have dwindled in the last few decades, there are about 30 youngsters in the Christian group at present.

The two companies merged in the 1970s.

Mike Ronaldson, captain of 6th and 7th Inverness, said: “To keep going in this area for 100 years is quite an achievement.”

He added: “It’s isn’t easy to attract boys into the movement in the electronic age.

“We also find it difficult to get staff and we need a certain number of officers to keep the company going.

“We hope that the centenary will raise the profile in the area and prompt a few volunteers to come forward.”