Temperance Walk tradition continues in Inverallochy

Generations of north-east villagers turned out yesterday to keep alive a tradition which is now more than 150 years old.

The annual Christmas Day Temperance Walk at Inverallochy is believed to have been started in 1842 – at a time when alcohol abuse was rife in the fishing community – as a protest against the evils of drink.

At the time, band members were even required to sign a temperance pledge before taking part in the parade.

In recent years, the message about abstinence from alcohol has become more muted, and the walk is now recognised as a celebration of the Buchan village itself.

Led by the village flute band – who each year place a wreath at the war memorial to conclude the parade – the walk takes a route from the local community hall through the village to neighbouring Cairnbulg before heading to St Combs.

Similar walks take place at Cairnbulg on January 1 and at St Combs the following day.

The walks are just one of a number of traditions upheld across the north-east during the holiday season.

Others include Stonehaven’s fireball swinging, which takes place on December 31, Fraserburgh’s annual Boxing Day sponsored swim and the Nippy Dippers events in Aberdeen.