Veteran rocker Rod Stewart made a triumphant return to Inverness at the weekend – and teased fans by hinting that he could soon be sailing back to complete a Highland hat-trick.
Newly-knighted Sir Rod was bowled over by the rousing reception he received at the Caledonian Stadium, one of only two Scottish dates on his current “Hits” tour.
He revealed that no crowd had ever before managed to sing, unprompted, an entire verse from his 1971 classic Maggie May, until 18,000 belted it out in Inverness.
And as he returned to the stage for his encore, Sir Rod thanked the “brilliant” audience, and sent them into raptures by saying: “See you in three years.”
The 71-year-old, who had played the same stadium in 2010, clearly has no plans to retire, and on the evidence of Saturday night, why should he?
“I might be old but I can still rock, you know,” Sir Rod informed his tartan-clad backing singers mid-set, before launching into Ooh La La from his period in the Faces.
The day had begun several hours earlier for many of those who travelled from across the Highlands and Scotland for the gig.
Trains and buses from the north, south, east and west were bursting with fans as they converged on a sun-kissed Highland capital, creating a buzz of anticipation in the city centre throughout the afternoon.
Long queues to get into the stadium did not dampen the spirits, and the night soon got under way with a soulful set from Sir Rod’s daughter Ruby Stewart, and her band The Sisterhood.
Ruby was as impressed with the setting and atmosphere as her dad, declaring that it was the “best audience so far on the tour”.
Then, with the stage set, Sir Rod made his first appearance of the night to an adapted rendition of George Frideric Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” – better known to many as the theme to the Champion’s League football tournament.
It may have been the first time that 18,000 people had heard that song play at the stadium, but Caley Jags fans might dream that it will not be the last.
It was the green-and-white of Glasgow giants Celtic which was most prominently on display at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday night, however, as their number one fan took to the stage in Inverness.
“It’s a lovely night, a little chilly, but we will warm you up,” Sir Rod said after kicking off his 24-song set with “Having A Party”.
Introducing “Can’t Stop Me Now” from his 2013 Time album, the Londoner paid tribute to his Edinburgh-born father Robert Stewart for keeping faith in him before his big break, when “nobody else wanted to know”.
Donning a black-and-white leopard print jacket, Sir Rod was soon wowing the crowd with classics such as “You Wear It Well” and “Forever Young”, before displaying impressive technique for a man of his years as he volleyed more than a dozen footballs into the crowd during another Faces hit, “Stay With Me”.
With Scotland boss Gordon Strachan among those watching, the rocker may have been hoping that it was still not too late for a call-up.
After a 10 minute half-time break, Sir Rod turned up the tempo on his return to the stage, delighting fans with sing-a-long renditions of “Rhythm Of My Heart” and “Maggie May”.
“I tell you, that is the first time ever an audience has sung the entire verse,” he said after the latter.
The crowd had been on their feet since the moment Sir Rod took to the stage shortly after 8.30pm, but sat back in their seats, some of which were priced at up to £125 for the night, as he embarked on an acoustic section featuring “You’re in My Heart”, “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and “Ooh La La”.
A thumping Muddy Waters cover followed soon after, before Sir Rod rolled back the years with “Baby Jane” from 1983 and “Hot Legs” from 1977.
Paying homage to his Scottish roots, he went on to lead the crowd on an evocative rendition of “Wild Mountain Thyme”, while a giant Saltire shimmered on the huge stage screens behind.
Arms were then linked for “Sailing”, before Sir Rod returned to the stage for an extended encore version of “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” – and a hint that he could be back before long.
As the thousands slowly made their way home under the Kessock Bridge, many were already eagerly-awaiting the return of the consummate showman.
