Coronation celebrations: Events in Moray, the Highlands and islands

A full list of events happening across the Highland, islands and Moray.

By Ross Hempseed

April 15 2023, 6:00 am

The King's Coronation weekend will be warmest in the Highlands. Image: DC Thomson.

Communities across the Highlands and Moray will gather to celebrate the coronation of King Charles next month.

For many people it will be the first coronation they will see, given the late Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign from 1953.

While the coronation is to be televised on May 6, everyone will be able to join in the festivities across the bank holiday weekend.

The north of Scotland has a special affinity with the Royal Family, given its proximity to Balmoral and the new king being a former pupil of Gordonstoun School.

Thousands are expected to gather at their local parks, gardens and on streets to celebrate the coronation.

The festivities will be spread out over the bank holiday weekend and include Coronation Big Lunches and community volunteering projects for The Big Help Out.

We have compiled a list below of the coronation events taking place across Moray, the Highlands and islands between May 5 and May 8.

If you know an event we’re missing, please e-mail livenews@ajl.co.uk

Busy street during celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year. — Expect similar scenes during the coronation weekend as last year when the country celebrated the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

Coronation Events in Moray

Saturday, May 6

Alves Community Hall – Posh Afternoon Tea Party, 2-4pm
Buckie High Street – Street Party
Buckie, Fishermen’s Hall – Sing-a-long, 2-4pm and 6-8pm
Dufftown Royal British Legion – Ceilidh, 6.30pm-11pm
Elgin Library – Coronation screening
Findochty Link Road – Street Party
Findhorn Yacht Club – Coronation screening
Findhorn James Milne Institute – Ceilidh and live music, 8pm-11pm
Forres Town Hall – Coronation screening
Glenrinnes Community Centre – Hog roast and Ceilidh, 6.30pm
Portessie Community Hall – coronation screening and fun day, 10-2pm

People enjoying a picnic and musical entertainment to mark the Platinum Jubilee last year. — People of all ages enjoyed a picnic and musical entertainment to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson.

Sunday, May 7

Aberlour Square – Big Weekend, 12.30pm
Bellie and Speymouth Church – Afternoon Tea, 4-6pm
Buckie to Portsoy, then back to Buckie – Buckie Rotary Vintage Vehicle Run, 10-3.30pm
Buckie Fishermen’s Hall – Indoor street party, 2-4.30pm
Burghead Community Hall – Posh Afternoon Tea, 2-4.30pm
Craigellachie Park – Community picnic, 1-4pm
Cullen and Deskford Parish Church – Afternoon tea and entertainment, 2pm
Duffus – Gordonstoun Community Picnic, 12-3pm
Dallas Village Hall – Community Picnic, 1.30pm
Edinvillie Hall – Afternoon Tea Party
Elgin Reidhaven Street – Street party
Elgin Town Hall – Moray Big Lunch, 3-5pm
Elgin, South Street – Orrin Coronation Big Lunch featuring the Queen’s coronation menu
Findhorn Bay – Maritime Pageant at 2pm and Coronation Big Lunch street party, 1pm-3pm
Findochty Town Hall – Big Lunch, 12-2.30pm
Fochabers Institute – Summer Tea, 4-6pm
Hopeman Bowling Club – Big Picnic, 2pm
Hopeman Pavillion – Community picnic, all day
Lossiemouth Football Club – 2-3 Group Soup & Sweet, 12-2pm
Lossiemouth Guide Hut – Friends of Guiding Soup & Sweet, 12-2pm
Portknockie McBoyle Hall – Big Lunch, 12-4pm
Spey Bay Community Hall – Posh Afternoon Tea Party, 2-4pm

Monday, May 8

Drummuir 21, Botriphnie Primary School – volunteering to clear and improve school grounds
Kingston – Unveiling King Charles III memorial bench, 1pm
Findhorn Yacht Club – Coronation Big Help Out, 10am
Forres, Mackenzie & Cruickshanks – Coronation tea, 2-4pm
Elgin, Bishopmill Hall – Big Help Out for Cats in Moray, 10-3pm

Busy dining hall during a previous royal celebration. — Communities are expected to gather for a right Royal knees up with a spot of Afternoon tea. Image: DC Thomson.

Coronation Events in the Highlands

Saturday, May 6

Inverness, British Legion Club – Coronation screening with buffet, 10am
Inverness, Highland Bowling Club – Fun Night, 6pm
Mey, Thurso – The Castle & Gardens of Mey Coronation Celebration, 10-4.30pm
Nairn British Legion – Flag raising and coronation screening, 9.30am
Spittal Village Hall – Coronation celebration , 2-4pm
Culrain & District Community Hall – Ceilidh, 7.30pm
Oban, St John’s Cathedral – Coronation screening, 10am
Lairg Community Hall – Crofter’s show, lunch and celebration, 2-4pm, 7pm
Ardgay, Kincardine Parish Church – Big Coronation Bash, 2-4pm
Aultbea, MacLennan Park – Coronation Capers, 12-4pm

Sunday, May 7

Bonar Bridge Community Hall – Coronation Big Lunch, 12pm-2pm
Dornoch beach – Barbeque and party, 1pm
Dingwall, National Hotel – Big Coronation Lunch for Senior Citizens, 12.30-3.30pm
Appin Village Hall – Coronation Lunch
Wick – 1st Wick Coronation Garden Party, 11am
Thurso, Rotterdam Street – Street Party
Loch Duich – Afternoon Tea, kids fancy dress and live entertainment
Cawdor Castle – The Big Cawdor Picnic, 12-6pm
Spittal Village Green – A Right Royal Knees Up, 2-4pm
Nairn High Street – Nairn & District Pipe Band followed by gathering at Legion Club, 2pm
Nairn United Reformed Church – Tea and Cakes for the King with donations going to Nairn Hospital and Nairn Macmillan Nurses, 3pm
Tiree, Public Hall – Coronation Afternoon Tea, 2pm

People will gather at parties, picnics and lunches across the Highlands, Islands and Moray during the coronation to celebrate King Charles. Image: Paul Glendell/ DC Thomson.

Monday, May 8

Cromarty, Victoria Park – Cromar-Tea in the Park, 2pm
Cromarty, Victoria Park – Kings Krew Coronation Event, 1-4pm
Skye Camanachd Clubhouse – Portree & Bracadale Free Church Royal Tea Party 1-3.30pm
Brora Heritage Centre – Coronation picnic with the biggest conga line ever attempted in Brora, 1-4pm
Muir of Ord, Urray House – Coronation event, 1.30pm
Muir of Ord – Big Lunch, 12-2pm
Tobermory, Glen Iosal – Coronation Big Lunch, 2-4pm
Thurso, Brigade Hall – Big Help Out litter pick, 11.30-3:30pm
Kirkhill, Community Centre – Big Help Out litter pick, 1-4pm
Farr, Community Hall – Coronation Tea Party, 2-4pm
Nairn, War Memorial – The Big Help Out litter pick, 10am
Tain Youth Cafe – Kings Coronation event, 10-2pm
Slattadale Forest – King’s Day

People beaming at an event held for the Queen's Jubilee last year. — Hope for sunny weather on the Coronation weekend to bring people out and celebrate. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

Coronation Events in the Northern and Western Isles

Friday, May 5

Stronsay – Junior High’s Summer Fate and Afternoon Tea, 1.30-3pm
Stornoway, Perceval Square, Sandwich Road – Flag raising ceremony with Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band, 6pm
Stornoway Town Hall – Light switch-on ceremony, 6pm
Whalsay School – Coronation Celebration