Campaigners on Speyside hope a surge of interest in a historic New Year’s Day event will help secure its place on the calendar for future generations.
The 186th Boys’ Walk in Dufftown was initially cancelled due to a lack of helpers before it was rescued at the eleventh hour.
Organisers hope the added interest in the traditional event will avoid a repeat of this year’s rushed preparations.
Talks are due to be held in the town tonight to appoint a new committee for the Dufftown Juvenile Society, which runs the event, amid hopes a new group could drive forward a range of events through the year.
Acting secretary Mhairi-ann Gallicker said it was important to have a year-round offering for local families.
She said: “Every group is doing an amazing job individually in Dufftown but we’re really isolated so need to pull everyone together to tackle the overall problem.
“And at the moment it feels like there is a big problem. Outside of the summer it feels like almost everything shuts up and there are a lot of ‘for sale’ signs up.
“The local distilleries are a big help but we also want to show that Dufftown is about more than just whisky and it’s a place to raise families too.”
The Boys’ Walk has been held in Dufftown since 1835 with only the two world wars forcing its cancellation.
For generations young boys and girls have swung swords and axes as they parade through the town with the event traditionally being used to fund apprentices’ first tools.
Mrs Gallicker added: “The whole concept of the Juvenile Society needs updated. We want to respect the past, but also move on.
“The Boys’ Walk will always happen but we also want to look at other events we could have at Christmas, Easter and in summer.”
Tonight’s meeting is due to be held at the Royal British Legion in Dufftown at 6.30pm.
The talks are not expected to last more than an hour.
Once a new committee is appointed, it is hoped a public information evening will be organised to gather ideas from local residents.
