This year’s Christmas lights switch-on in the Highland capital promises plenty of fun and enchantment.
The event this Sunday starts with the traditional torchlight procession leaving from Crown Primary school on Kingsmills Road at 5.45pm.
Families should head for the school from 5pm to buy their torches.
At the head of the parade will be Santa and Provost Helen Carmichael, followed by the City of Inverness Senior and Youth Pipe Bands.
In time-honoured fashion the bands will be competing with each other to see who can be most outrageously decorated.
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A number of mascots including first-time visitors Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story will escort the procession as it makes its way down Stephens Brae to the High Street.
Turning left, children will be invited to help Santa turn on the Christmas lights at 6pm in a series of lively countdowns led by STV’s Nicola McAlley.
After each of the sections has sparkled into life, the procession will gather outside Inverness Town House to get a first glimpse of the colourful lighting installed recently during the building’s refurbishment.
The new lighting will be switched on at 6.10.
After the Christmas and Town House lights are switched on, Santa and the Provost will join families for the traditional Christmas carol service ‘Ding Dong Merrily Old High’ starting at 6.30pm in the Old High Church on Church Street.
Inverness councillor Bet McAllister said: “The Christmas Lights torchlight procession is one of the most popular events in our Winter Festival programme for the younger members of our community and we are looking forward to creating something really magical for them to enjoy.”
Last year, an estimated 3,500 people attended the switch-on. This year, organisers are aiming higher with a target of 5,000.
According to forecasts at the moment, it will be a cold night, with temperatures down at 5C to 6C. But so far, there is only a 6% or 7% chance of rain – so those torches should stay alight.
